DETROIT — Sometimes where there’s smoke, there’s actual fire.

There have been rumblings the last couple of weeks that right-handed free agent starter Jack Flaherty and the Tigers were moving toward a reunion.

Sure enough, a source familiar with the negotiations confirmed to The Detroit News on Sunday that that the Tigers and 29-year-old Flaherty agreed on a two-year deal worth $35 million. The deal, which is still pending a physical, will pay Flaherty $25 million this season and $10 million in 2026 with Flaherty having an opt-out for 2026.

The Tigers signed Flaherty last season for one year and $14 million after he struggled for St. Louis and Baltimore in 2023. He ended up making 18 strong starts for the Tigers and was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline last July.

He helped stabilize the Dodgers rotation down the stretch (6-2, 3.58) and into the postseason. The Dodgers were 3-2 in his five postseason starts, though he was roughed up in two of them.

He was hoping his bounce-back performance last season would translate into a longer-term deal in free agency. But he made it clear two weeks ago that he would be willing to accept a shorter-term contract.

He mentioned on the Foul Territory podcast that he would be open to a return to the Tigers.

The Tigers rotation is suddenly looking quite formidable, with Flaherty joining reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson and veteran Alex Cobb.

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