BREAKING: Yankees Now Set To Sign $14 Million Pitcher to Bolster Starting Rotation
The New York Yankees were the first MLB team to reach 50 wins in 2024, and they’re about to get even stronger with the return of reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole. General manager Brian Cashman might further bolster the rotation by adding someone like Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty.
Deesha Thosar of FOX Sports suggested Flaherty as a potential target for the Yankees as the trade deadline approaches.
The Tigers have had a disappointing season so far, entering June 19 with a 34-39 record, placing them 11.5 games out of first in the American League Central. Their chances for the AL Wild Card are slightly better, as they are 6.5 games behind the final postseason spot.
Although manager A.J. Hinch’s team isn’t a definite seller at the trade deadline yet, they might become one if they don’t improve in the coming weeks. Detroit doesn’t need to conduct a full fire sale, but trading Flaherty could be attractive given his performance and contract status.
Flaherty, playing on a one-year, $14 million deal, has posted a 4-4 record with a 3.01 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts over 77.2 innings (13 starts). With his impending free agency this winter, he presents a valuable rental option for teams looking to strengthen their rotations.
Why Could Flaherty Be an Attractive Option for the Yankees?
Deesha Thosar of FOX Sports has highlighted several reasons why the New York Yankees might be interested in adding to their rotation, primarily focusing on rookie sensation Luis Gil. Despite his impressive 2.03 ERA over 80 innings, there are concerns about his workload. The most innings Gil has pitched in a professional season is 108.2, achieved in 2021 while splitting time between the majors and minors.
However, Gil isn’t the only Yankees starter with potential workload concerns. Thosar pointed out that “the rest of the Yankees rotation is quietly in a similar boat as Gil. Marcus Stroman has thrown 176 innings four times in his career, but Carlos Rodón has only surpassed that mark once (178 IP in 2022), while neither of the remaining healthy starters (Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt) has done it.”
Thosar added that “there are just not a lot of workhorses in the Yankees’ staff to maintain this run when paired with middle-of-the-road expected FIP [Fielder Independent Pitching].”
Given these concerns, Thosar suggested that Jack Flaherty could be a timely addition for the Yankees. With Flaherty hitting free agency in the offseason and the Tigers possibly becoming sellers, he represents a valuable option. Through 77.2 innings (13 starts), Flaherty has a 4-4 record, a 3.01 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts, making him an appealing candidate to bolster the Yankees’ rotation.
There’s No Time for New York to Get Complacent
The New York Yankees boast MLB’s best record at 51-24 as of June 19. However, their divisional lead is the smallest among all first-place teams, with the Baltimore Orioles just 2.5 games behind. In comparison, the Cleveland Guardians have a 4.5-game lead over the Minnesota Twins, the second-tightest race in MLB. All other division-leading teams have at least a 6.5-game lead.
The Orioles, fresh off a 101-win season and an AL East title in 2023, have a roster brimming with young talent and the best farm system in baseball, according to MLB.com. This strong minor league system gives them the leverage to make significant moves at the trade deadline.
While the Yankees are in a strong position, especially with Gerrit Cole’s imminent return, they face potential workload concerns with their current starters. Rookie Luis Gil has a limited professional innings history, and other pitchers like Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt also have varying degrees of workload limitations.
Given these factors and the Orioles’ close pursuit, it makes sense for the Yankees to consider bolstering their pitching depth. Adding a reliable arm like Jack Flaherty could provide the necessary stability and help maintain their edge in the competitive AL East race.