The New York Yankees are considering enhancing their outfield depth, but it may come at the cost of one of their most valuable starting pitchers. In a recent mock trade proposed by writers at The Athletic, the Yankees would send LHP Nestor Cortes, RHP Brock Selvidge, and shortstop prospect Roderick Arias to the Miami Marlins in exchange for center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (h/t The Sporting News’ Kevin Hickey):
“In this hypothetical deal, the Yankees gave up starter Nestor Cortes, right-handed pitcher Brock Selvidge, and shortstop prospect Roderick Arias,” Hickey relayed.
The Yankees could pull the plug on Nestor Cortes & prospects at the deadline for roster support
The Yankees have reportedly been considering a trade involving Nestor Cortes for weeks now. The veteran star pitcher has performed well in 2024 but has faced some challenges. With reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole back in action and Luis Gil playing at an elite level, Cortes will be competing with Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, and Cody Poteet for a prominent spot in the rotation upon his return from injury.
Selvidge and Arias are also viewed as potentially expendable assets. Selvidge, New York’s No. 92 overall pick from 2021, has retired 72 batters with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP in Double-A for the Somerset Patriots. Arias has stolen 19 bases and driven in 43 RBIs in 279 at-bats in Single-A for the Tampa Tarpons.
Cortes’ future with the Yankees is becoming less certain, despite his impressive stats, including a 3.51 ERA, an elite 1.105 WHIP, a 4.5% walk rate (93rd percentile), and 98 strikeouts in an MLB-leading 18 starts this season. Packaging him with Selvidge and Arias could yield a promising return for the Yankees, but is Jazz Chisholm Jr. the right talent to justify such a trade?
Do the Yankees need help most at center field?
Jazz Chisholm Jr. made the All-Star team in 2022 and has already surpassed his doubles total from that season (10) in 2023 (12) while matching his triples (4). Having missed only three games this year, the 26-year-old is on pace to hit 19.6 home runs if he plays out the rest of 2024, potentially matching or exceeding his career-high of 20 homers set in 2023.
The Yankees would benefit from adding Chisholm Jr. to keep CF Aaron Judge’s legs fresh in the latter part of the season. The Bahamas native boasts a .990 fielding percentage this season, with 195 putouts and just two errors in center field.
