At the trade deadline, of the New York Post reported that the New York Yankees made starting pitcher Nestor Cortes available, positioning him as a potential trade asset. The Yankees are in search of a stronger starting pitcher than Cortes for their rotation.
This offseason, one option on the free-agent market is right-hander Jack Flaherty, who had a resurgence this season, putting up impressive stats that should earn him a solid contract. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Flaherty might not reach the $100 million mark, but the Yankees, who were interested in him at the deadline, “could be in” on him again.
“Jack Flaherty, right-handed starter: There’s a chance Flaherty doesn’t reach $100 million, but his doing so is enough of a possibility to warrant his inclusion in this tier,” Passan wrote on November 12. “He threw 162 innings in 2024, his highest total in five years, and maintained a 5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
“If the Washington Nationals decide to invest in a rotation anchor, Flaherty could be a suitable option. And the Yankees — who backed out of a trade for Flaherty at the deadline due to concerns about his back — might be interested again.”
Could Flaherty Get Over $100 Million?
A contract over $100 million for Jack Flaherty wouldn’t be surprising, though it remains to be seen if the New York Yankees will be the ones to offer it. Flaherty is coming off a career-best season, justifying a nine-figure deal with standout strikeout ability that suggests he could continue to excel in the years ahead.
At age 29, Flaherty recorded 194 strikeouts over 162 innings and provided a significant boost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the latter half of the season and in the playoffs. For the Yankees, his postseason performance is particularly appealing as they need a reliable high-end starter when it matters most.
Considering these factors, R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports projected that Flaherty might secure a five-year, $125 million contract.
“Flaherty enjoyed a resurgent season split between the Tigers and Dodgers, positioning him for a multi-year deal this winter,” Anderson wrote on November 12. “How teams perceive his comeback adds complexity to predicting his contract, but it only takes one True Believer to offer him something comparable to Zack Wheeler’s first contract with the Phillies.”
Yankees Could Get Something Back for Cortes
If the New York Yankees managed to re-sign Juan Soto, bring in Jack Flaherty, and trade Nestor Cortes for a player that fills another need, they would be setting themselves up for one of the most impressive offseasons in Major League Baseball.
While it’s uncertain if this plan is feasible, given Flaherty’s anticipated contract, he would be a valuable addition to the Yankees’ rotation. With Cortes still in arbitration, his contract would likely be far lower than what Flaherty might command. Nonetheless, serious spending is necessary if the Yankees aim to return to contention.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have set a model for roster-building, and it’s time for the Yankees to take a similar approach.
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