The New York Yankees, currently holding a 60-43 record and just one and a half games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East, are looking to strengthen their roster ahead of the trade deadline. Despite a recent 10-21 stretch, the team has a prime opportunity to add reinforcements. The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner has proposed a trade package to bring right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers to New York.
Kirschner’s proposed trade:
Yankees receive:
- RHP Jack Flaherty
Tigers receive:
- RHP Will Warren
- OF Everson Pereira
Kirschner noted, “The Yankees could offer a package of starting pitcher Will Warren and outfielder Everson Pereira to the Tigers. Warren has struggled in Triple-A this season, and Pereira is out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He’s expected to be ready for spring training.” Warren and Pereira are among the Yankees’ top prospects, ranked No. 7 and No. 5, respectively.
Flaherty Could Bolster the Yankees’ Rotation
Starting pitching has not been a major issue for the Yankees, who boast the No. 5 ranked ERA from starters this season at 3.62. The team’s overall ERA stands at 3.55. However, Flaherty could still provide an upgrade to the rotation. Kirschner wrote, “Flaherty would immediately become the Yankees’ second-best pitcher behind Gerrit Cole. He is one of baseball’s best strikeout pitchers this season and excels at limiting base runners. Adding Flaherty would allow the Yankees to move one of their current starters to the bullpen, like Luis Gil, who has workload concerns.”
Cole, who made his season debut on June 19, has a 4.60 ERA in six starts but has looked strong in his last two outings, delivering back-to-back quality starts and striking out 15 across 12 innings. Behind Cole, the Yankees have Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodón, and Gil. Stroman and Gil lead the group with 3.10 and 3.51 ERAs, respectively. Flaherty, with a 3.13 ERA in 17 starts this season and 127 strikeouts, would be a significant addition.
Flaherty’s Trade Market
According to the Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold, the Tigers do not plan to trade Tarik Skubal unless they receive an overwhelming offer but are open to moving Flaherty. He signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Tigers in free agency and will be a free agent again this offseason. The Tigers aim to get as much return as possible for him.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic wrote, “Flaherty is having a great comeback season, going 7-5 with a 3.13 ERA over 17 starts. The 28-year-old is healthy and pitching like he did during his best years with St. Louis. The Tigers should be able to get a top-seven prospect from an average farm system or two top-15 prospects for him. Flaherty is eligible for free agency after this season.”
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed on July 9 that the team will “be open-minded to a lot of different things” ahead of the July 30 trade deadline. While adding Flaherty won’t address the team’s struggling offense, it could pay dividends come October. Kirschner concluded, “A possible playoff rotation with Cole and Flaherty at the top would be one of the best in the American League.”
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