This Dodgers trade package could complete Jack Flaherty trade with Tigers

The Los Angeles Dodgers desperately need pitching as they gear up to go "all-in" at the July 30 trade deadline. Sure, they would probably love to have Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal – honestly, who wouldn't? – but he comes with two additional seasons of team control, and the type of package Detroit is likely to demand in return would obliterate Los Angeles' farm system.

Tigers left-hander Jack Flaherty, on the other hand, is on an expiring deal, theoretically making him a more cost-effective option for a Dodgers team in win-now mode. He will certainly come at a cheaper price than Skubal, but the Tigers are well aware of the Dodgers' deep pockets and Flaherty's status as the top rental starter on the market. They aren't going to let him go for nothing.

If he didn't happen to be a member of the same starting rotation as Skubal, Flaherty could easily be any team's ace. He has a 7-5 record in 18 starts for the Tigers, posting a 2.95 ERA with 133 strikeouts with 106.2 innings pitched this season. He would be a fantastic get for the Dodgers, who have more than enough ammunition to go get the Southern California native.

A Dodgers-Tigers trade proposal for RHP Jack Flaherty

The Dodgers can weaponize both their prospect pipeline and their seemingly endless amounts of money to entice Detroit in a trade for Flaherty.

Catching prospect Dalton Rushing, while still valuable as a top-100 prospect, is expendable to the Dodgers with starting catcher Will Smith under contract through 2033 and prospect Diego Cartaya (currently with Triple-A Oklahoma City) locking down his spot as Los Angeles' future backup catcher. A trade would give Detroit a future catching tandem of Rushing and Dillon Dingler, who is having a solid season in Triple-A Toledo. It's possible the Dodgers would balk at trading Rushing for a rental, and might counter with Cartaya, but ... it's a seller's market with limited options. Competition will be fierce. We're just preparing you.

Left-handed pitching prospect Maddux Bruns could also be included in a trade package for Flaherty. Bruns has had a stellar season with High-A Great Lakes, posting a 1.98 ERA over five starts. If he continues to develop into a true major league prospect, he could fit nicely in Detroit's window to contend in the next few years.

Finally, the Dodgers can sweeten the pot for the Tigers by sending a bit of cash over as well. Hey, every little bit helps with the disastrous Javy Báez contract.

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