The New York Yankees, currently holding a 60-43 record, are just one and a half games behind the Baltimore Orioles in the American League East. A challenging 10-21 stretch has thrown the team slightly off course, but they have the opportunity to strengthen their roster at the trade deadline. The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner suggested a trade package that would bring Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers to New York.
Kirschner’s proposed trade involves:
– **Yankees receive:** RHP Jack Flaherty
– **Tigers receive:** RHP Will Warren and OF Everson Pereira
Kirschner noted, “The Yankees could offer 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 Tommy John surgery, but he’s expected to be ready for spring training.”
Warren was a contender to make the Yankees out of spring training, and Pereira is one of the team’s top prospects, ranked No. 7 and No. 5 respectively.
**Flaherty’s Potential Impact on the Yankees’ Rotation**
While starting pitching hasn’t been a significant issue for the Yankees, who have the fifth-ranked ERA among starters at 3.62, Flaherty could still enhance their rotation. Kirschner mentioned, “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 made his season debut on June 19 and has shown improvement in his last two outings. Behind Cole, the Yankees have Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodón, and Gil, with Gil and Stroman posting ERAs of 3.10 and 3.51, respectively. Flaherty, with a 3.13 ERA in 17 starts and 127 strikeouts, would lead the Yankees in strikeouts.
**Flaherty’s Trade Market**
According to the Detroit Free Press’ Evan Petzold, the Tigers intend to trade Flaherty, who signed a one-year, $14 million deal in free agency and will be a free agent again this offseason. The Tigers are looking to get a good return for him. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden wrote, “Flaherty is having a great comeback season, going 7-5 with a 3.13 ERA over 17 starts. The Tigers should be able to get a top-seven prospect from an average farm system, or two top-15 prospects for him.”
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 Yankees’ struggling offense, it could be beneficial in the postseason. Kirschner concluded, “A possible playoff rotation with Cole and Flaherty at the top would be one of the best in the American League.”
