The New York Yankees made a surprising decision not to acquire a starting pitcher at the trade deadline, which may prove detrimental in the coming months.
Initially, their starting rotation was the best in baseball, but it has struggled since June.
Some players, particularly Nestor Cortes, need to improve. The left-hander was an All-Star in 2022 with a 2.44 ERA over 158 1/3 innings. Now, in 2024, his ERA stands at 4.16 in 129 2/3 innings.
Reports indicated that the Yankees were considering trading Cortes but wanted to secure another starter first for insurance. If they had successfully brought in another pitcher at the deadline, Cortes likely would have been traded.
As a result, Zachary D. Rymer from Bleacher Report identified him as a strong candidate for an offseason trade.
“According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Yankees intended to trade Cortes if they acquired Jack Flaherty at the deadline. This deal almost went through until Flaherty’s medicals raised concerns for the Yankees,” Rymer reported.
Cortes remains with the team for now but shouldn’t feel too secure. With Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt expected to return in 2025, Cortes could easily be seen as expendable this winter.
The Yankees face a crucial offseason for multiple reasons, most notably because Juan Soto will be a free agent. They may need to prepare for a massive contract worth over $ 500 million for the superstar outfielder, along with addressing other areas of improvement.
If the Yankees win the World Series, their offseason concerns will be significantly reduced.
However, if they fall short, they may undergo major changes, affecting the coaching staff, front office, and certainly the roster.
Cortes could be moved if they do not meet their goals, especially since he will be a free agent in 2026. Finding a trade partner who can better address the team’s needs might make sense given his recent performance.
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