Jack Flaherty leaves door wide open for STL Cardinals contract extension
By Kevin Henry
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty said it would “be awesome” to stay in St. Louis for his entire career. What would it take for that to actually happen?
There is no question that the rotation for the St. Louis Cardinals will be under the microscope this season, with Adam Wainwright returning for his final campaign (one in which he will turn 42) and Flaherty battling back from injuries that have limited him to just 23 starts over the past two seasons.
Both will certainly be keys to success in St. Louis. However, while Wainwright’s future plans are already known, Flaherty’s are up in the air after this season.
The 27-year-old Flaherty is pitching this year on a one-year, $5.4 million deal and is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the campaign. The right-hander, however, has said that he hopes to not only be around St. Louis next season, but until the end of his career as well.
When asked if he would like to play for one team throughout his career a la mentor Adam Wainwright (ignoring his Minor League trade), #STLCards RHP & future FA Jack Flaherty said, “That would be awesome.” He pointed to his heroes, Derek Jeter & Kobe Bryant, being one-team stars.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) February 18, 2023
Flaherty’s health and performance this season will determine if that will be the case or not.
Will the St. Louis Cardinals extend Jack Flaherty?
They are two factors that Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and the rest of Cardinals nation will be watching, with Mozeliak using the word “importance” when discussing how this season sets up what will happen with Flaherty for potentially years to come.
“My confidence in Jack is at an all-time high,” Mozeliak told MLB.com in this article. “He’s had a really good offseason. His preparation has been very strategic and he’s in a good spot. I think he understands the importance of this year.”
If Flaherty, who was drafted 34th overall by the Cardinals in 2014, can revert to 2019 numbers when he finished fourth in the NL Cy Young race and struck out 231 in 196.1 innings, St. Louis will certainly reward his efforts. If he struggles again this season with health, the Cardinals could decide that the risks simply aren’t worth it.
Flaherty may want to stay in St. Louis for the rest of his career, but this year is truly a make-or-break season for that to actually happen.
Next. 3 big decisions Mozeliak must make. dark