MLB Rumors: The truth about Cardinals, Jack Flaherty extension chatter

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty could be traded at the Aug. 1 deadline. Or, do they plan on keeping Flaherty long-term?

The St. Louis Cardinals 2023 season had not gone likely as they and many in the MLB world had planned. Entering July 26, the team was 45-57 on the year, in fourth place in the NL Central division, and on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. Team president John Mozeliak confirmed that the team was open to selling at the deadline, which meant that some impending free agents could get dealt.

One player who is a potential trade candidate is starting pitcher Jack Flaherty.

On Wednesday, Flaherty pitched in the team’s 11-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Flaherty pitched five full innings in the start, where he recorded four strikeouts and two walks while allowing three earned runs on eight hits. With the trade deadline next Tuesday, this could potentially have been Flaherty’s last game with the Cardinals.

According to MLB.com’s John Denton, the Cardinals aren’t looking to trade Flaherty just yet, as the team is reportedly holding out hope that the two sides can reach an “11th-hour long-term extension” agreement before the deadline.

"“The two sides have made little progress toward an extension in recent days, but the Cardinals are expected to make one more contract extension run at Flaherty before the Deadline, a source confirmed. If that fails, the Cards will likely be forced to deal Flaherty,” writes Denton."

MLB rumors: Will the Cardinals make a contract extension offer to Jack Flaherty?

Denton brings up that the two sides made little progress, but that the Cardinals will give one more run at signing Flaherty to an extension.

In regards to Flaherty getting extended, FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray says, “I would be really, really, really, REALLY surprised if they extended Flaherty.”

Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery are St. Louis’ two starting pitchers set to become free agents at the end of this season. Adam Wainwright is in the final year of his deal, but he will be retiring after this campaign.

This season, Flaherty recorded a 4.43 ERA, a 1.55 WHIP, a 7-6 win-loss record, 106 strikeouts, and 54 walks over 109.2 innings (20 starts). In his seven seasons with the team, Flaherty recorded a 3.58 ERA, a 41-31 win-loss record, a 1.18 WHIP, 706 strikeouts, and 242 walks over 633 innings (122 starts).

With the trade deadline on Aug. 1, there is little time for the Cardinals to try and reach an agreement with Flaherty. If not, as Denton writes, Flaherty could be traded.