The New York Yankees, currently holding a 60-43 record and trailing the Baltimore Orioles by just one and a half games in the American League East, have experienced a slight setback with a 10-21 stretch. However, they have the opportunity to strengthen their roster at the trade deadline. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic has suggested a trade package to 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 explains that Warren, who has struggled in Triple-A this season, and Pereira, who is sidelined for the year after Tommy John surgery but is expected to return by spring training, could be enticing to the Tigers. Warren and Pereira are ranked as the Yankees’ No. 7 and No. 5 prospects, respectively.
Although starting pitching hasn’t been a significant issue for the Yankees, boasting the fifth-ranked ERA from starters at 3.62, Flaherty could still enhance the rotation. Flaherty would immediately become the Yankees’ second-best pitcher behind Gerrit Cole, known for his high strikeout rate and ability to limit base runners. Adding Flaherty would also allow the Yankees to move a current starter, like Luis Gil with workload concerns, to the bullpen.
Gerrit Cole, who made his season debut on June 19, has a 4.60 ERA in six starts but has shown improvement in his last two outings with 15 strikeouts across 12 innings. The Yankees’ rotation includes Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodón, and Gil, with Stroman and Gil leading the group with 3.10 and 3.51 ERAs, respectively. Flaherty, with a 3.13 ERA in 17 starts and 127 strikeouts, would lead the Yankees in strikeouts.
Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports that while the Tigers don’t plan to trade Tarik Skubal without a significant offer, they are open to moving Flaherty, who signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Tigers and will be a free agent after this season. The Tigers hope to secure a good return for Flaherty, who is having a comeback season with a 7-5 record and a 3.13 ERA over 17 starts.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic believes the Tigers could receive a top-seven prospect from an average farm system or two top-15 prospects for Flaherty. Yankees GM Brian Cashman confirmed on July 9 that the team is open to various possibilities ahead of the July 30 trade deadline. While acquiring Flaherty won’t address the Yankees’ struggling offense, it could prove beneficial in the playoffs, potentially forming one of the best rotations in the American League with Cole and Flaherty at the top.