The New York Yankees currently hold a record of 60-42, trailing the Baltimore Orioles by just one and a half games in the American League East. Despite a recent 10-20 stretch, which has slightly derailed their momentum, they have an opportunity to strengthen their roster before the trade deadline. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic predicts that they may trade Nestor Cortes to acquire a starting infielder or left fielder by the July 30 deadline.
Kirschner referenced a similar move in 2022 when the Yankees traded Jordan Montgomery to the Cardinals for center fielder Harrison Bader. The rationale behind that trade was that Montgomery was unlikely to be part of the Yankees’ playoff rotation, and GM Brian Cashman sought to improve defensively. Cortes, who has one more year of team control, is seen as having trade value that could be leveraged to address the Yankees’ needs in either the infield or left field positions.
Cortes’ Season on the Yankees
Despite the criticism the Yankees have faced during their recent struggles, Nestor Cortes remains steadfast in his belief in the team’s potential. On July 16, Cortes expressed his thoughts on social media, defending the Yankees and emphasizing the honor of wearing the pinstripes. He highlighted the team’s consistent contention for playoff spots and expressed gratitude for being part of a perennial contender.
Cortes has made it clear that he does not wish to be traded before the deadline, despite the Yankees considering potential moves to strengthen their roster for the postseason. While Cortes started as the opening day pitcher for the Yankees this season, their playoff rotation is likely to be led by Gerrit Cole, Marcus Stroman, and Luis Gil.
Statistically, Cortes has maintained a 3.99 ERA over 21 starts this season. However, he struggled in his last two outings, conceding 11 earned runs in just 8 2/3 innings. In 2023, Cortes started 12 games but posted a higher ERA of 4.97.
Overall, Cortes’s loyalty to the Yankees and his belief in their championship potential contrasts with the team’s recent performance and trade speculations surrounding him.
Yankees Trade Deadline Needs
The New York Yankees are currently facing a pressing need for offensive reinforcement. In July, their offense ranks 18th in runs scored, a significant drop from their top 10 placements in April, May, and June. DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres, in particular, have struggled, prompting speculation that they could be replaced before the July 30 trade deadline.
LeMahieu has been particularly ineffective with a .181 batting average across 40 games this season. Torres, while hitting .229 for the year, has shown improvement recently with a .303 average over his last 10 games.
General Manager Brian Cashman acknowledged the team’s openness to exploring various options to address their deficiencies, stating they have clear areas for improvement.
Reflecting on the 2022 season, where the Yankees started strong but faltered afterward, Cashman expressed hope that their early-season success this year provides a cushion to weather their current challenges and turn things around.
In 2022, the Yankees attempted to bolster their roster with acquisitions such as Andrew Benintendi, Frankie Montas, and Harrison Bader to correct their course. However, these moves did not achieve the desired results. Cashman remains optimistic that the dynamics of the 2024 season could bring a different outcome for the team.
