The pitching market is becoming a playground for L.A. Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes, and Max Fried — all three players could be wearing the Dodgers’ blue next season. The team is laser-focused on landing one of these top-tier arms to bolster their rotation while hoping to pull off a blockbuster move for Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki. But the Dodgers might not be done yet. 

Corbin Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young winner, who could be the crown jewel of their pitching hunt, is also on the team’s radar. Not only does Burnes bring elite gameplay, but he’s also from California. So, the Dodgers might have the edge here, after all, who doesn’t want to play in front of the home crowd, especially when your hometown team is offering a chance to compete for titles every year? 

The Dodgers could use their advantage over Corbin Burnes 

If the team lands Sasaki and another star, they’ll surely be ready to dominate the National League. The Los Angeles Dodgers are riding high after their 2024 World Series championship. Now, in the offseason, they have the challenge of roster decisions. After Burnes, one of the most intriguing names on the free-agent market is pitcher Jack Flaherty.

Fresh off a postseason where Flaherty played a key role in the Dodgers’ title run, the 28-year-old right-hander has positioned himself for a big payday. ESPN’s Jeff Passan has already labeled Flaherty a “nine-figure arm,” drawing significant attention from top teams around the league, most notably the New York Yankees.  

Is Jack Flaherty not on LA’s radar?

Despite past concerns over Flaherty’s back, his bounce-back performance in 2024 has fueled his market value. For the Yankees, who’ve long been in the market for a top-tier starter, Jack Flaherty could be the missing piece. They tried to acquire him via trade earlier, and given their rotation still needs a reliable ace, the team can be expected to play a role in Flaherty’s free agency.  

The Yankees’ pursuit is made even more compelling due to the Dodgers‘ reluctance to offer Flaherty the kind of long-term commitment he’s likely to command. With other star pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urías returning to the fold, Los Angeles might not be able, or willing to meet Flaherty’s price tag. Jack Flaherty’s market value could be around a three-year, $60 million deal, but industry insiders believe he could eclipse that. Some projections even suggest a contract north of $100 million if multiple suitors enter a bidding war.  

For the Dodgers, this represents a delicate balancing act – while they may want to retain their World Series hero, the team will have to weigh Flaherty’s price against other financial priorities as they look to defend their title in 2025. As for Jack, this builds his chance to cash in on a career year; the Yankees, on the other hand, could be starting a new era of pitching dominance.

Will the Dodgers step up to the plate, or will New York swoop in for their latest big signing? What do you think might happen? Share below.