Nestor Cortes rejects trade buzz: ‘Yankees like me enough to stay’

PHILADELPHIA — As the trade deadline loomed, Nestor Cortes found himself at the center of swirling rumors. The New York Yankees’ pitcher faced questions about his future just before heading to the bullpen at Citizens Bank Park to prepare for his upcoming start.

“I’m almost confident that the Yankees want me enough to stay here,” he said. “I know it’s just sometimes they need to improve in other areas. Other than that, I’m just playing it day by day, hour by hour and minute by minute.

“Of course I want to stay. It’s a winning team. It’s a team that I got drafted by and given me many opportunities. I’ve done a lot of good, some bad, but I’m still fighting and trying to claw my way up to being a proven starter and winning for this team.”

Nestor Cortes acknowledged seeing his name mentioned in trade discussions on social media. He admitted to being aware of the speculation, noting that while there didn’t appear to be any definitive information, the possibility of a trade was being openly discussed.

“It’s all over Twitter,” the Yankees pitcher said about trade speculations. “I check Twitter, obviously. I don’t think there’s anything concrete, but the word is out there. I’m aware of it.”

The left-hander recognized that his next appearance on the mound might be in a different team’s uniform, highlighting the uncertainty that often surrounds players as the deadline approaches. Despite the distractions, Nestor Cortes focused on his imminent start for the Yankees.

Everyone talks down about the yanks but they wanna be us. It’s a privilege to wear pinstripes. Every year we are in contention. I’m blessed to be able to compete for a playoff spot and always be contenders at the end.

— Nestor Cortes (@Cortes_1210) July 17, 2024

Nestor Cortes found himself at the center of various trade rumors as the trade deadline approached. Initially, he was linked to the St. Louis Cardinals, with Tommy Edman potentially moving to the Yankees. However, this scenario quickly dissolved when Edman was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, bringing Erick Fedde to the Cardinals from the Chicago White Sox.

Attention then shifted to a possible deal involving Nestor Cortes and the Detroit Tigers, with Jack Flaherty emerging as a potential Yankees acquisition. Yet, as of Monday evening, team sources indicated no immediate developments on this front.

The Yankees continued to explore the starting pitching market, engaging in discussions about Blake Snell from the San Francisco Giants. However, Snell’s contract remained a significant hurdle, making a trade unlikely unless the Giants agreed to cover part of his salary.

Jameson Taillon‘s name also surfaced in trade talks, adding another layer to the Yankees’ pitching considerations. As the deadline neared, the situation remained fluid, with the potential for rapid changes in the final hours before the cutoff.

Are Yankees ready to give up Nestor Cortes?

The potential trade of Nestor Cortes could prompt the Yankees to seek additional starting pitching reinforcements. The team’s rotation faces several challenges: Clarke Schmidt‘s return from a lat injury remains uncertain, Luis Gil may transition to the bullpen due to workload concerns, and Marcus Stroman’s performance metrics suggest potential regression despite a respectable ERA.

Nestor Cortes, under team control until 2025 with a modest $3.95 million salary this year, has recently struggled on the mound. His situation draws parallels to Jordan Montgomery’s in 2022, who was traded to St. Louis for Harrison Bader to bolster the Yankees’ outfield defense. This precedent suggests that if Nestor Cortes were to be traded, the Yankees would likely target an established major league star rather than prospects, aligning with their win-now strategy.

The team’s pitching depth is further strained by Schmidt’s ongoing recovery and Gil’s potential move to relief duties. Stroman’s performance, while solid on the surface, raises concerns due to career-low rates in key pitching metrics. These factors collectively underscore the Yankees’ need to carefully consider their pitching options as the trade deadline approaches, balancing immediate needs with long-term stability in their rotation.

Nestor Cortes acknowledged that his agent had informed him about his name circulating in trade discussions. However, he admitted to not seeking clarification from General Manager Brian Cashman or Manager Aaron Boone regarding his immediate future with the team.

Nestor Cortes expressed a strong belief that the Yankees valued him enough to retain his services, while also recognizing the team’s potential need for improvements in other areas. He described his approach as taking things one day at a time, sometimes even breaking it down to an hourly basis.

The pitcher emphasized his desire to remain with the Yankees, citing the organization’s winning culture and the opportunities they had provided since drafting him. Nestor Cortes reflected on his mixed performances, highlighting his ongoing determination to establish himself as a dependable starter and contribute to the team’s success.

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