Report: Ex-GM Jim Bowden repeatedly roasts Tigers’ Scott Harris for Jack Flaherty bungle
In his “Trade Deadline Superlatives” column for The Athletic on Friday, former MLB general manager Jim Bowden was blunt in his critique of Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris.
Although Bowden didn’t name Harris explicitly, he implied criticism by labeling the Tigers’ trade of Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers as the “worst” deal of this year’s deadline. This designation seemed justified, as Detroit traded away the top rental starter on the market, receiving only a pair of prospects in return.
Reportedly, medical issues led to a failed trade with the New York Yankees for Flaherty. Harris, in his attempt to secure the best possible return after pitchers like Yusei Kikuchi increased the market’s value, waited too long and ended up making a deal that was seen as underwhelming at best and poor at worst.
Flaherty was having an impressive season with a 7-5 record, a 2.95 ERA, 133 strikeouts, and only 19 walks in 106 2/3 innings. He had allowed one run or fewer in six of his last eight starts with Detroit. Bowden commented that the return of shortstop Trey Sweeney and catcher Thayron Liranzo “was just too light.”
Bowden rips Harris for demanding ‘too much’ in return for Tarik Skubal
Bowden once again criticized Harris’ approach to the trade deadline, awarding him the superlative of “GM who asked for too much in trades.” Bowden particularly disapproved of Harris’ handling of Tigers ace and Cy Young Award frontrunner Tarik Skubal, who had garnered significant interest in the trade market. According to Bowden, Harris responded to inquiries about Skubal by “practically asking for their entire franchise, according to multiple GMs who had trade discussions with him.”
However, can you blame him? Skubal is under team control for another two seasons, so the Tigers had no pressure to trade him at the deadline. Harris would have needed an overwhelming offer to consider parting with the pitcher who provides Detroit the best chance to be competitive now and in the coming years. Even Bowden conceded, “I would have asked for too much, too.”
So, at least that didn’t end up being the worst aspect of the Tigers’ trade deadline.