Tigers Free Agency Update: Jack Flaherty, Kirby Yates, Walker Buehler

The 2024 MLB Winter Meetings have come to an end, and the Detroit Tigers have very little to show for it. Yes, they inked starting pitcher Alex Cobb to a one-year, $15 million deal Tuesday, but president of baseball operations Scott Harris and his staff still have plenty of unfinished business when it comes to upgrading the roster for 2025.

There's still hope for the Tigers, though. There are a handful of free agents on the market who could be of interest to them, including a pair of starting pitchers to whom they've been linked in the past. Per a report from Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic (subscription required), the Tigers have shown "at least some interest" in a reunion with right-hander Jack Flaherty, who is fresh off a 2024 World Series championship with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Tigers signed Flaherty to a one-year, $14 million contract before flipping him to the Dodgers at last year's trade deadline for a pair of prospects in Trey Sweeney and Thayron Liranzo. Flaherty posted a 2.95 ERA, 32% strikeout rate and 4.6% walk rate in 18 starts with Detroit before being traded. Rosenthal and Sammon note that while the Tigers may be inclined to spend on a multi-year deal for a player they know so well, their other needs (corner infield, for example) might take priority.

If the Tigers decide not to bring Flaherty back, Walker Buehler remains an option. ESPN's Buster Olney reported Thursday that Detroit is one of the teams that has expressed interest in the former Dodgers starter, along with the Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and others. Olney further reported that Buehler was looking for a multi-year contract with opt outs, however, which might end up being a deterrent for the Tigers.

Tigers reportedly interested in free agent closer Kirby Yates

According to a report from Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 in Houston, the Tigers have also expressed interest in signing free agent closer Kirby Yates. Yates is coming off an All-Star season with the Texas Rangers in which he racked up 33 saves with a 1.17 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP.

At 37 years old, Yates would be a low-risk option for a Tigers team looking to shore up their bullpen, as he wouldn't require a long-term commitment. The Tigers aren't alone in their pursuit of the right-hander, however, as the Red Sox and New York Yankees have also reportedly expressed interest.

At the end of the day, Detroit should probably focus on solidifying the rest of the starting rotation behind Cobb and Tarik Skubal, but Yates would be a very fitting addition to the bullpen.

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