Yankees swap Cortes for Mets’ Baty? Evans proposes ‘stupid’ trade
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Follow UsAs MLB’s offseason heats up, a bold trade idea has captured the attention of New York baseball fans. Sports radio host Evan Roberts recently floated a hypothetical trade involving Yankees left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes and Mets third baseman Brett Baty. Though speculative, the proposed swap has sparked conversations about how such a deal could reshape both teams as they gear up for 2024.
Roberts suggested that the Yankees, in search of infield depth, could acquire Baty from the Mets in exchange for Cortes, a proven left-handed starter. On paper, this trade seems to address critical needs for both franchises: the Yankees get much-needed help at third base, while the Mets bolster a rotation in dire need of depth.
“I want everyone to take a deep breath right now, because a lot of times, when people have a Mets-Yankees trade, it’s usually very stupid – but this one has been vetted in my Mets text chat, which also includes a Yankees fan who wants to make this trade,” he said. “I propose this trade just for fun, and all the Mets fans wanted to do it in the chat, the Yankee fan wanted to do it in the chat, and even Tiki was like, that actually makes a lot of sense.”
“The New York Mets have acquired Nestor Cortes from the New York Yankees; you guys got a deep rotation, you’re probably going to trade him anyway,” he added. “In return, the New York Yankees get a blossoming young star, a left-handed bat for Yankee Stadium: Brett Baty. Brett Baty for Nestor Cortes.”
But would either team seriously consider this blockbuster deal?
Why the Yankees could benefit
The Yankees have been searching for a long-term solution at third base. While DJ LeMahieu has played the position when healthy, his age and injury history raise concerns. Prospects like Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera have shown flashes but lack consistent MLB production.
Enter Brett Baty. The 24-year-old Mets infielder has the potential to become an everyday third baseman with significant offensive upside. Though Baty struggled in 2023, slashing .212/.275/.323 with nine home runs and 39 RBIs in 108 games, his minor-league track record and left-handed power bat remain enticing.
By acquiring Baty, the Yankees could lock down the hot corner for years while adding another lefty hitter to balance their right-handed-heavy lineup.
However, dealing with Cortes would be a steep price to pay. Cortes emerged as one of the Yankees’ most reliable starters in 2022, earning an All-Star selection with a stellar 2.44 ERA over 28 starts. Although injuries limited him to just 12 starts in 2023, Cortes remains a valuable arm when healthy.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Carlos Rodon’s performance and Clarke Schmidt’s continued development, the Yankees might be hesitant to part with a proven starter.
Why the Mets might consider it
The Mets’ starting rotation was decimated after trading Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander at last season’s trade deadline. With Kodai Senga as their only consistent starter, New York is desperate for pitching reinforcements.
Cortes could provide stability and experience for a Mets rotation that struggled throughout 2023. His ability to perform under pressure and competitive nature would fit well in Queens. Additionally, Cortes’ arbitration eligibility makes him a relatively affordable option, allowing the Mets to allocate more resources elsewhere.
The challenge for the Mets would be giving up on Baty so early in his career. Despite his underwhelming rookie season, Baty is still viewed as a potential cornerstone infielder. His power potential and ability to play third base or corner outfield give him long-term value.
Trading Baty would also leave the Mets thin at third base unless they have a follow-up move in mind, such as pursuing another free-agent infielder or making a separate trade.
Yankees-Mets swap: A rare sight
While the trade makes sense from a needs perspective, intercity trades between the Yankees and Mets have historically been rare. The two teams are fierce rivals on and off the field, making high-profile swaps uncommon.
The last significant trade between the clubs came in 2004 when the Yankees acquired reliever Mike Stanton from the Mets for Felix Heredia. Since then, transactions between the teams have been limited to minor trades and cash deals.
Given the stakes involved, both front offices would need to feel confident that the trade wouldn’t backfire—a tall order considering the intense media and fan scrutiny that would follow.
Fans from both sides have voiced strong opinions. Yankees supporters are split between those eager to see a young, promising third baseman and those wary of losing Cortes’ reliability in the rotation. Mets fans, on the other hand, worry about selling low on Baty after just one full MLB season.
Baseball insiders have called the trade “intriguing but unlikely.” MLB analysts agree that while the swap could help both teams, the intercity dynamic and lingering concerns about injuries and player development make it a tough deal to pull off.
As MLB’s Winter Meetings approach, the Yankees and Mets continue exploring ways to strengthen their rosters. Whether this trade remains a hypothetical talking point or evolves into something more serious depends on each team’s willingness to take a calculated risk.
While unlikely, the possibility of a Nestor Cortes-Brett Baty trade has added a thrilling layer of speculation to MLB’s offseason drama, giving New York baseball fans plenty to debate until spring training rolls around.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
- Categories: Nestor Cortes, News
- Tags: nester cortes, trade rumors, Yankees vs. Mets
