Last Minute Addition: Yankees Putting Starting Pitcher Nestor Cortes On Trade Market

[Brock Beauchamp]

This news might cause whiplash: the New York Yankees are apparently dangling starting pitcher Nestor Cortes on the trade market. Cortes is only 29 years old and won't become a free agent until after the 2025 season.

Cortes has flashed brilliance in the past but scuffled in 2023 (87 ERA+) and is roughly league-average this season (99 ERA+). The Yankees, an obvious contender this season, will likely be looking for major-league talent in return for the pitcher, which could make a lot of sense for the Twins, who are severely payroll-constrained at the deadline.

View full rumor

[DJL44]

Cortes for Kepler is the obvious move for the Twins.

[Mike Sixel]

As I said elsewhere:

Kepler and Julien for Cortes and a prospect. You might have to put Varland or Paddock in there, and get a better prospect as the Yankees will need a 5th starter occasionally the rest of the way.

[DJL44]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

the Yankees will need a 5th starter occasionally the rest of the way.

I assume the Yankees are going to upgrade the rotation which is why Cortes is available.

[DJL44]

The Yankees are actually looking for infield help. Cortes for Kyle Farmer would be too lopsided for the Twins.

[Mike Sixel]

In thinking about this more, I just don't think they want to pay the price for a non-rental. Next year in AAA they have Festa, Morris, Matthews, maybe Raya and Ohl.....do they even want a non-rental starter? They have 4 starters and Paddocak (and Varland). 

[Cory Engelhardt]

9 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

In thinking about this more, I just don't think they want to pay the price for a non-rental. Next year in AAA they have Festa, Morris, Matthews, maybe Raya and Ohl.....do they even want a non-rental starter? They have 4 starters and Paddocak (and Varland). 

You can NEVER have enough pitching.

AND

There is no such thing as a pitching prospect :)

[Mike Sixel]

5 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

You can NEVER have enough pitching.

AND

There is no such thing as a pitching prospect :)

Ya, you can if you have a budget and that last part is total bunk and needs to die.

[Cory Engelhardt]

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Ya, you can if you have a budget and that last part is total bunk and needs to die.

Is it though? I mean, are we certain any of the prospects you listed can be a serviceable regular in a starting rotation? I certainly hope they can, and they have been good at getting guys ready to be mlb pitchers. But nothing is ever guaranteed.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, Cory Engelhardt said:

Is it though? I mean, are we certain any of the prospects you listed can be a serviceable regular in a starting rotation? I certainly hope they can, and they have been good at getting guys ready to be mlb pitchers. But nothing is ever guaranteed.

no more certain than any other prospect, but if you have a budget, you have to trust your prospects. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

6 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

no more certain than any other prospect, but if you have a budget, you have to trust your prospects. 

I agree, and with how they have developed pitching, I'd say they are pretty good at getting to that point overall. 

[USAFChief]

52 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Ya, you can if you have a budget and that last part is total bunk and needs to die.

Standard stathead orthodoxy.

[Mike Sixel]

13 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

Standard stathead orthodoxy.

simply not true at all....look at the prospect lists.

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I assume the Yankees are going to upgrade the rotation which is why Cortes is available.

Yankees have a reported deal for Flaherty. Will trade Cortes if and when that deal is completed. 

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

2 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I assume the Yankees are going to upgrade the rotation which is why Cortes is available.

MLBTR reports that they're trying to make a Cortes deal contingent on acquiring Jack Flaherty. (Although that's a recent report, so watch it change significantly in the next few hours...!?)
 

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

As I said elsewhere:

Kepler and Julien for Cortes and a prospect. You might have to put Varland or Paddock in there, and get a better prospect as the Yankees will need a 5th starter occasionally the rest of the way.

Seems like the possibility of a deal like this may depend on the Yankees' plans for Jazz Chisholm, no? I.e., Kepler is more useful to them if they want to use Chisholm in the infield. Julien is more useful to them if they want to use Chisholm in CF and push Judge to RF (though maybe they'd look at him more for their plans next year...)

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, whosafraidofluigirussolo said:

MLBTR reports that they're trying to make a Cortes deal contingent on acquiring Jack Flaherty. (Although that's a recent report, so watch it change significantly in the next few hours...!?)
 

Seems like the possibility of a deal like this may depend on the Yankees' plans for Jazz Chisholm, no? I.e., Kepler is more useful to them if they want to use Chisholm in the infield. Julien is more useful to them if they want to use Chisholm in CF and push Judge to RF (though maybe they'd look at him more for their plans next year...)

Julien is a prospect at this point, IMO......so yes, I'd say future. But who knows? I'm probably off there, including both, but who knows?

[Linus]

If the deal is reasonable I would not let next year deter me from adding Cortes.  Frankly I think it would be nice to have 6 guys competing for 5 spots. Eventually we will need all 6 and then some. 

[Eris]

Somewhat surprised the Yankees would move Cortes if they acquire Flaherty. They are in a tough division and currently have a wild card spot (with many games left to play). They did something similar when acquiring Frankie Montas a few years ago by moving Jordan Montgomery. Montgomery pitched very well down the stretch for the Cardinals while Montas mahled and quickly landed on the IL.