New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes is navigating a challenging season, and with the MLB trade deadline upon us, his future in pinstripes is uncertain.
Despite this, the seasoned pitcher remains calm about the potential changes.
In a statement to The New York Daily News, Cortes expressed his indifference to the trade speculation.
“I’m not thinking about the trade deadline. I’m not thinking about being moved from here. If it happens, it happens, but I’m not worried about it,” he said.
It’s no secret, the Yankees are actively exploring various trade opportunities.
While the team is primarily a buyer at the trade deadline, it isn’t entirely off the table for them to trade a key player to acquire more talent as they gear up for a playoff run.
There are several big-names rumored to be on the Yankees radar as the 6pm EST deadline approaches, including two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell.
“While the Yankees are clear-cut buyers at the trade deadline, it’s not out of the question they could sell at least one major-league piece to land more talent,” Greg Joyce of The New York Post reported.
“Nestor Cortes’ name has come up in trade discussions, The Post’s Jon Heyman reported Monday, as the Yankees have plenty of balls in the air ahead of Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline.”
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, one possibility is the Yankees including Cortes in a package for Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty.
“The New York Yankees are in extensive trade talks for Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, and plan to trade starter Nestor Cortes if they land Flaherty,” Nightengale reported.
Flaherty, who boasts a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA and 0.956 WHIP across 18 starts this season, was scratched from his Monday night start against the Cleveland Guardians to safeguard him for a potential trade.
Conversely, Cortes holds a 4-9 record with a 4.13 ERA and 1.206 WHIP over an MLB-high 22 starts.
Cortes’ recent performance has been underwhelming, surrendering 19 earned runs over his last five starts, resulting in an 0-3 record.
This is a stark contrast to his impressive 2021 and 2022 seasons, where he recorded ERAs of 2.90 and 2.44, respectively, and earned an AL All-Star selection in 2022.
The Yankees, driven by the impending free agency of superstar Juan Soto this winter, are aggressively pursuing moves to bolster their championship prospects this season, hoping to persuade Soto to remain with the team long-term.
Will the Bombers end up making any moves today???