On Monday, the New York Yankees seemed poised to acquire pitcher Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers before the MLB trade deadline.
However, by Tuesday, Flaherty had been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers instead.
The question arises: Did the Dodgers simply outbid the Yankees, or was there another factor at play? … According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX, the Yankees withdrew from the deal due to concerns over Flaherty’s health.
Rosenthal reported that Flaherty experienced a lower back issue earlier in July. Despite this, he ended the month with strong performances, leading the Dodgers to overlook any potential injury problems.
Flaherty was pulled from his scheduled start on Monday, a move that many speculated was to prevent any last-minute injuries before the trade deadline.
Despite this precaution, the Yankees ultimately decided to pass on the deal due to lingering injury concerns.
Flaherty boasts an impressive 2.95 ERA and striking out 133 batters. His acquisition is expected to bolster the Dodgers’ roster significantly.
The Yankees, meanwhile, made a few solid moves but fans were left largely disappointed with general manager Brian Cashman (sound familiar?)
While there were hopes for a true difference maker such as reigning Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, the Bombers came up empty on that front.
Despite missing out on Flaherty, the Yankees still have a strong starting rotation – at least on occasion.
Gerrit Cole, despite some struggles post-injury, remains one of MLB’s top pitchers and is expected to regain his form soon.
Luis Gil is having a breakout season, meanwhile, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes have shown inconsistency but possess high potential.
It should be noted, the Yankees are in the middle of a hot-streak and seem to be well on their way to getting their season back on track.
Having said that, Cashman’s approach yesterday left a lot to be desired for most fans.