According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers are in “extensive” conversations about trading Jack Flaherty. A Flaherty deal has been expected for some time, with the right-handed starting pitcher linked to a number of teams. Flaherty was even scratched from his scheduled start on Monday due to continuous trade speculations.
According to Nightengale, the Yankees intend to deal starting pitcher Nestor Cortes if they acquire Flaherty. Cortes emerged as a surprise trade candidate on Monday. The Yankees’ left-handed starter currently has an ERA of 4.13. The 2022 All-Star has underwhelmed on his 22 starts this season.
Flaherty, on the other side, is currently experiencing a comeback season.
Jack Flaherty’s Potential Impact on the Yankees Rotation
Flaherty’s ERA in 2023 was 4.99 while pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Baltimore Orioles. He has found his stride in Detroit, however, and currently boasts an amazing 2.95 ERA.
Flaherty has a solid track record. He had several productive seasons while pitching in St. Louis. When Flaherty joined the Tigers prior to the 2024 season, he was certainly aware that he may be traded before the July 30 deadline unless the team took a stride forward.
Detroit is currently 52-55 and ready to sell. Ace Tarik Skubal has also been identified as a trade candidate. A Skubal deal seems doubtful, but anything can happen.
The Yankees have certainly taken an interest in Flaherty’s outstanding season. For the most part, New York’s rotation has done admirably, and adding a pitcher with an ERA under 3.00 will only help things in the future.
It will be intriguing to watch whether the Yankees seek any additional big players before to the trade deadline. New York hopes to win the World Series in 2024, a feat they have not accomplished since 2009.
