The Yankees are in “extensive trade talks” for Tigers righty Jack Flaherty, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The Yankees plan to trade starter Nestor Cortes if they land Flaherty, adds Nightengale. Earlier today, we learned that Flaherty has been scratched from tonight’s start against the Guardians, with a trade expected soon.
Flaherty, who will be a free agent after the season, has experienced a resurgence this season and is sporting a career-best 27.5 K-BB% through 18 starts. The Tigers are 5.5 games out in the wild card and are a long shot to reach the playoffs, so Flaherty seems very likely to be dealt before tomorrow’s 5pm central time trade deadline.
The Yankees, meanwhile, are one game back of the Orioles in the AL East and currently hold a wild card spot. The Yanks have limped to an 8-13 record in July, though they won their last two at Boston. Senior vice president and GM Brian Cashman added Jazz Chisholm Jr. via trade yesterday, and is known to be seeking reinforcements for the pitching staff.
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman connected the Yankees to Flaherty on Saturday, and Sherman’s colleague Jon Heyman reported Cortes’ availability earlier today. Flaherty would form a dynamic 1-2 punch with ace Gerrit Cole. Even sans Cortes, the club could be adequately covered for the rest of the regular season with Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, and Luis Gil, with Clarke Schmidt on the mend from a lat strain. It’s also worth noting that Gil will surpass his professional career-high in innings (108 2/3) if he records five or more outs tonight in Philadelphia, so the Yankees may need to back off to keep him fresh for October.
Cortes, who leads the Yankees with 124 1/3 innings this year, owns a 4.13 ERA at present. With a 17.4 K-BB%, he’s an entirely capable big league pitcher, though he lacks the strikeout stuff Flaherty has shown this year. Cortes is under team control through 2025 as an arbitration eligible player, and will earn a raise on this year’s $3.95MM salary.
According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the Yankees’ competitive balance tax payroll currently sits around $315MM. The club pays a 110% tax on anything above $297MM. A Cortes-Flaherty contract swap-out would increase the team’s CBT hit by around $3.3MM for the remainder of the season, which would carry a tax of about $3.6MM. But given that the Yankees are considering all sorts of different scenarios, we won’t know where the dust settles until about 24 hours from now.
So they are trading Cortes!
I wonder where Nasty Nestor is going…
Across town.
I think he’d be a good fit with the Mets, tbh. Definitely has the personality.
Boston? That would be pretty funny
What’s more unlikely Nestor going to Boston or Mets
Zero chance with Boston. No reason not the Mets.
It’s between the Yankees and the Orioles who gets Snell. Think of the benefit for the team that gets him.
The Yankees definitely aren’t getting snell if they are getting Flaherty.
Boston still has to call Detroit.
Remember: Boob Nightengale reported this…
How about Cortes for Flaherty
As a Tiger fan no Thanks
That actually would be a smart trade for you. Nestor isn’t having his best year, but he’s a solid mid rotation guy on a cheap contract with another year of control. You could do far worse for a rental.
They could also do better with so many teams interested. Remember that JF has a qualifying offer attached so the return would have beat that of a post 1st round pick. While Cortes is a decent pitcher they Tigers will probably want prospects over an SP with only one year of control.
On behalf of every other Yankee fan, stop saying nonsense like this and making the rest of us look bad. Flaherty will cost a lot more than just Nestor
Ronk325;
Hal Cashman aren’t in the baseball business, they’re in
the entertainment business.
Whoever’s currently hot or flashy they want.
No offense, but as a group Yankee fans are very possibly
the least knowledgeable baseball fans in America. They’ve become a running joke in this comment section.
That’s a bit of a stretch. Every fan base has its fools but I wouldn’t say the Yankees are at the top of that list. Of the top of my head I can think of a clear example of a more delusional fan base that has been active on here the past couple days
@Samuel
Any of the biggest teams in any sport are going to have more idiots among their fanbase, if only because they have more fans (and thus more casual fans). You could make a similar argument about Dodger and Cub fans
It’s a terrible trade that doesn’t recognize how well flaherty is pitching and thus his current rental value. It would take a top 5 Yankees prospect as well to make that make sense for the tigers.
Takes one to know one Samuel. Ahahaha!
It shouldn’t be a Top prospect. The Os got him with dealing anyone in their plans at any foreseeable point. Rom wouldn’t have been R5 protected. Prieto was OK, but behind Ortiz, Norby, Holliday and maybe even Bencosme in their IF prospect list.
Qualifying offer is NOT a first round pick anymore its competitive balance pick in the later rounds!!
NYCityRiddler;
Brilliant! Quite a riddle!!
Does it ever occur to you that Hal Cashman have been doing the exact same thing every year for over a decade, are in the top 3 each year in spending money on salaries…..and can’t get to a WS?
What was Einstein’s definition of insanity?
Not for the revenue sharers, but is for teams like the Os that are competitive balance sharing recipients. If the FA contract is $50m, it’s immediately after the first round. With the Yankees, Mets and Dodgers facing 10 pick penalties they will be moved back after the Os QO pick. Their FIRST round pick will be later. Know the rules before posting.
He was not pitching well when Baltimore acquired him. He is now.
Not the point really. The Os traded a lot less because he WASN’T QO eligible last year.
Thank God! A Yankee fan with actual common sense!
If he signs a contract worth more than $50 it is right after the first round, in the low 30’s. So essentially a 1st round pick.
I think that’s a really good trade for the Tigers if the FO thinks they can compete for real next year.
If not, then yeah, get ya some o’ them prospects instead.
That’s where my thinking was at as well. Even if it’s Nestor plus other assets…..which I would expect…..getting a cheap veteran middle of the order pitcher if you think you can compete doesn’t suck
The problem is that Nestor is extremely inconsistent, pitches poorly away from YS, and is only controlled through next year. I don’t see why the Tigers would have much interest in him. It sounds like Nestor would be moved in a separate deal if the Flaherty trade goes through
With other assets yes, but by himself no, even if Flaherty is just a rental.
Nestor Cortez is a pitching clown. Hard Pass!
They might as well use their best prospect for Crochet in that case.
Straight up makes no sense for the Tigers. However, Nestor and George Lombard Jr. would be fair. Nestor fills a temporary hole in the Tigers starting lineup while reducing the Yankees payroll hit and Lombard is a prospect the Tigers can develop.
I’d be ok with moving lombard with cortes, he’s very young – no guarantee he’ll develop and they have volpe in place at SS.
Imo, Cortes is best suited for a long relief/ spot starter role, he’s struggled with location a bit this year.
With that I’d make the move of Cortes + Lombard for flaherty, though idk if that gets it done, might need to throw in another prospect
Flaherty is a rental and it would be dumb for the Yanks to give up there potential or arguably best SS prospect for a rental with Cortes. I know Flaherty is having a solid season but he’s not a top of the rotation arm. Never has been.
Solid season? He is having an elite season accept the stats and metrics back it up. He has pitched like a FOL starter twice in his career..2019 and 2024.
Cortes for Flaherty? Throw in Greg Bird.
No way Detroit goes for this straight up but Nestor plus prospects might not be the craziest idea. Detroit will need innings this year and next, and Nestor isn’t going to break the bank in arb. And moving to comerica might help him a bit.
I guess it is less complicated than previously mentioned in the last article
According to the picture if the Yankees acquire him he won’t have to shave as he looks clean shaven. Oh and by the way that is one of the stupidest if not the stupidest rule in baseball
Love the rule! So many guys with big sloppy beards in the modern game.
But should be relaxed and with some restrictions. I’ve seen old yankees with new tattoos, and just tell if not a big difference btwn a tattoo and facial hair uh?
If they allowed well trimmed beards and kept hair above the collar I could deal with it. I don’t see it stopping there if they cave though. With the overall turn toward slovenly attire our culture has taken I appreciate the Yankees adherence to neatness.
Telling a grown man who plays baseball what facial hair they can or can not have is asinine.
You don’t have to play on the team though. Suits for travel, hair above the collar, it’s all part of the mystique.
What’s next? These same people want names on the back of jerseys?
A grown man making millions and who can’t groom himself is trash.
“Stupidest rule in baseball”…It’s not really a baseball “rule”, it’s a policy of only one baseball team, the Yankees. Companies(even teams) have long had some latitude on dress codes and the way they present their company to the public.
For an example why the Yankees policy is dumb look no further than Phil Bickford earlier this year. Signs with the Yankees, cuts his hair, pitches a few games and is then DFA’d.
With most jobs, you have some control over your employer. Most players have no control over who they are traded to (or drafted by). It’s ridiculous for a player to be traded to the Yankees, comply with their policies and then they get DFA’d shortly afterwards.
“Phil Bickford earlier this year”…I’m pretty sure the average person(or player) has many more important issues in their life than worrying over whether they’ll need an additional 6 weeks to grow their hair & beard back. Besides I do believe Bickford SIGNED(a minor league deal)with the Yankees when he could have signed elsewhere had he so wanted. I don’t believe Bickford was forced to sign with the Yankees.
this is such a non issue, jesus lmao wahhh wahhh some minor league had to get a haircut oh nooo the sky is falling
Tigers are buying for next year, Cubs-style, it looks like. Skubal trade cancelled, pack it in lads.
If only I had a dollar for every time MLBTR has had to summarize Flaherty’s season stats in an article this year
Cashman better not give up a lot for a rental. I’d keep Cortes and move him to BP
Nasty Nestor is a mid-rotation starter with average stuff. He’s also been durable so moving him to pen is a poor use of him. He’d also have to agree. Trade him for what he is if there is upside in his replacement.
Then Cashman won’t get him.
Outbidding the padres? Hmm
Would be a solid get for the Yankees…..depending on the cost of course.
Negotiable Neglected Nestor no more
Pass on Flaherty! Pass. Keep Nestor dump Stroman.
You don’t like strike throwing, winning pitchers?
I’ll be ok giving up a top 10 prospect along with Flaherty if the Tigers got Spencer Jones. Like Ty Madden or Wilmer Flores. But I’m sure a return would probably be George Lombard Jr. seeing his dad is the Tigers bench coach.. the Yankees aren’t trading Jones though.
That excited about the guy with the 37% k rate?
I’d be ecstatic if the Tigers got Lombard. I’m not taken with Jones at all.
I’m usually one to not care about prospects getting dealt for the goal of winning now but I would be sick if they traded Spencer Jones. I watched him a bunch last season. He’s a damn good ball player
I hope he turns out being a good player for you guys. Cheers dude.
Actually go sign Bauer for league minimum. Dump Stroman and put Nestor and Gil on bullpen when Schmidt returns. Boom that was easy.
Stroman is signed for next year at 18.5 million
So they cant release him
Gil to pen bc why? The guy whos been the best in the rotation yeah lets send him to the pen uh huh
Wonder if Chafin might be a possibility. If NY is willing to put an Arias/Lalane/Selvidge on the table it’s doable.
Numerous rumors have listed Chafin as being available.
So, they’re trading for Flaherty and the Tigers will chip in Skubal as well to make the trade fair?
Send over Judge too then we’ll talk 😉
I’m sure the Yankees will throw in Judge and Soto to keep it fair.
Better send over a clone of the Babe too just to make sure they accept the deal 😉
Done !! 🙂
I think jack is over rated
Yanks need to give very little
I hope they don’t make one of their stupid trades again
Thinking Sonny Gray 2.0?
Overrated based on what? Being one of the best starters in MLB this season? Try tuning into one of his starts
I think lots of Yankees prospects are overrated and Detroit should look elsewhere.
Agreed!
Every Yankees starter not named Cole is overrated. Flaherty is legit.
I do like Cortes. I saw Flaherty pitch this year and was impressed.
Watched him pitch all season. He’s legit, and will be an upgrade to any team he goes to. Keeps batters off balance and throws strikes. You’ll see
I think Judge is overrated but you know what they say about opinions.
That everyone is entitled to their own? OH you meant the other thing they say about opinions 😉
No. What do they say about opinions?
Well…. it is Bob Nightengale…. but I really want this to happen! Fingers are crossed!
If Cortes was Angel they would’ve held onto him for dear life and the fan favorite.
I trust the commenters on this page more Nightengale. My 94 year old grandmother with dementia has more credibility.
Neely & vivas for Flaherty; guessing Cortes (& lower prospect) goes for Scott
I liove Vivas but that is a lowball.
If Flaherty goes to the Yankees, expect him to implode on a grand scale. If you check out his game logs, the opponents feel a little on the soft side to me, which might explain some of the rebound year.
Yeah, I’m sure every Yankee starter held the Red Sox to a .139 OPS. THE Red Sox are a pretty weak team.
Really? So beating teams like BOS, CLE (twice), TEX, HOU? Just soft teams like that? Do some research dude? WTF
I just don’t think very many people pay attention to the ALC. I keep hearing about how it’s the weakest division is baseball — it’s not even close, it’s actually one of the stronger divisions. Just an easy copy + paste response for guys who haven’t checked in since April to assume all ALC players are bad.
nightengale also reports the yankees are trading lefty gomez for wayne gretzky
Cortes to the Cubs for Neris, $3M to make it salary-neutral and an A ball outfielder? Which team says no?
Cortez for Tanner Scott?
Cortez will be a Padre if Flaherty goes to the Yankees
3-way deal Towinagain?
I could see it!
Nestor is an interesting piece of a trade like this, probably 1 of 3 players going to the Tigers if this trade occurs.
Figure next season he gets a 3-4 million raise over his 3.95 million this season.
The question is which would be the prospects.
Warren? Hampton? Arias?
It actually makes some sense as a partial return, the Tigers get a servicable #3-4 with 1 more year of control that won’t cost more than 7-8 million, I am certain they could flip him to a pitching needy team to add prospects.
The Dodgers, the Braves, the Padres all could use 1 more arm.
OMG? What is wrong with Yankee fans? Why on God’s green earth would DET trade for Cortes? Use just a smidge of common sense?
Lombard is pie in the sky type return because they need a SS. Vivas with Cortes might be more realistic. Vivas is a Scott Harris type player.
When it comes down to it, no trade will happen unless both parties like the trade.
It has to make sense to both parties.
Lombard is blocked by Volpe, I don’t see him switching to 3B, maybe 2B.
I don’t see why he shouldn’t be an option.
Another team will outbid Vivas + Cortes.
i HAAAAAAAATTTEEEEE the yankees
Jasson Domínguez would look nice in a Tigers uniform… Flaherty could be the difference in keeping the Os down.
Take me to your dealer.
Jasson for Tariq 1 for 1 maybe, and even then, the Yankees might ask for more.
Some articles were talking Jones, Dominguez, Lombard and more so 1 for 1 Martian for Skubal would never happen. The Tigers won’t even go 1 for 1 for Holliday if you read all the articles and expert opinions on it.
Likewise the Yanks are NOT trading Dominguez for Flaherty, which I expect is the point your were trying to make. Cheers dude.
Personally, I don’t think that there is anyone in the Majors currently that is worth Both Jones and Jasson in a trade, let alone both and more.
Same with Baltimore fans with Mayo, Basallo and Holliday and me and Tigers fans with Skubal. As it should we are fans and support our teams. GMs dont have that issue and can take a step backbwhen they assess needs. Doubtful Skubal gets dealt and doubtful the Marian and Jones get dealt. You and me would both be disappointed if it did. Cheers dude.
There should be untradables.
My 2 cents on Both Jones and Jasson are that both are untouchables until the Yankees find out if Soto is remaining a Yankee or not.
If yes, 1 of them should be available for a haul, and the other should be patrolling the OF with Judge and Soto for years to come.
If Soto moves on, then Jones, Jasson, Judge sounds Pretty darn good to me for the Yankee OF.
DUMBEST. COMMENT. EVER.
i do NOT like the yankees. in fact i despise them. i HATE them
but this would be good to the yankees. flaherty is having himself a nice bounceback year
Yankee prospects are always overrated… Jasson for Flaherty is a perfect fit.
…..and we throw in Baez !!
I want Ty Cobb.
I bet Scott Harris is peddling Jack Flaherty as a combo package with Baez lol
As much as I want Baez gone, I hope they don’t do that because they would just be giving Baez away and get nothing. They should just bench or cut him.
Alive?
Cleveland will take nasty Nestor
Maybe Yankees want to get under the luxury cap… Torres and a top prospect for Flaherty?
How close are the Yankees to the luxury cap? Torres probably doesn’t do it. Oh well.
I doubt the Yankees can trade Torres.
Why would any seller take him on?
Maybe a bad contract gets him, but that negates the concept.
Beyond that, he still has upside for this season, he could turn it around.
Because we’ll give you Baez back !!!!
HAHAHAHA!!!!
I see that you reaaaaaaaaaaaalllllly wanna get rid of Baez.
No Soup For You!!!!
Damn that never works! Foiled again.
lolz
They are at $315 Mil for the year? That’s almost $100 mil over the first level. That’s crazy!!!
Yeah, because why wouldn’t Detroit want the worst TWO SS’s in MLB?
I can see a return of Warren , Selvidge and Peraza pkg for Flahtery.
After Fedde trade, the return for a higher salary rental could be lighter than expected.
I would take that (as a Tiger fan), so that probably indicates an overpay by the Yankees.
lol yeah you can see that but it’s a pipe dream.
Yankees seem to line up nicely with the Braves – looking for 2b (Torres), OF (Verdugo) and SP (Cortes). Yankees looking for RP help especially LH (LH Dylan Lee, LH Aaron Bummer, RH Joe Jiminez) or minor league arms (Hackenberg, Baumann, Meier, Arresteguita).
Don’t expect any of those top arms like Smith, Waldrep or Ritchie to be available for rental/limited control guys.
That’s interesting but doubt yanks do that deal.
Now that I deep dive into the 3 arms the Braves would be sending… that’s pretty bad for the yanks
Sounds like Yankees might pull this off. Would be a good deal for them
He goes to the Fish in a package for Tanner Scott and possibly a bigger swap. The return of the Hialeah Kid. And his salary is one that the Fish can absorb. So, in essence, Flaherty becomes Nestor and the Yanks probably have to add a legit prospect.
Clients for starting pitching are shrinking. St Louis, Houston and Milwaukee all appear to have filled their needs for starters. Boston likely did with Priester too? NYY, Cleveland, LAD and maybe Atl, NYM or Balt still in need of a top SP?
“Meanwhile” has to start the sentence. It can’t come in the middle between two commas.
After the Kikuchi trade I’m wondering just how much the Tigers are asking for Flaherty. I’d here’s at least Lombard Jr and two others. Vivas would be nice too. Maybe a pitcher since they have none right now!
What have we learned so far? The best Harris can get back for Flaherty is a young gun who MIGHT become a Flaherty. Does this make sense to anybody other than the “Colavito Whisperer”? Jack is a classic #2 starter who likes everything about Detroit, but if they bushwhack him, he will never come back….another JD. Baltimore seems determined to brag up Holliday but nobody wants to take a chance on a kid who could flame out by this time next year. That’s always the danger of giving a kid several million signing bonus dollars before he throws a pitch in pro ball. He buys a house, a good truck, and lives a life of ease until he’s 60 and who cares after that? Will Jack get dealt? we’ll see if Pee Wee is under orders to head deeper into the Bowery or try to win NOW…..be a buyer….it’s the right thing to do.
TREVOR BAUER