Yankees reportedly dangling pitcher in trade talks

The New York Yankees may be patching one hole by creating another.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees are dangling pitcher Nestor Cortes in trade talks. Heyman also noted that the Yankees are interested in St. Louis Cardinals utility man Tommy Edman, although he has yet to confirm whether or not Cortes would be part of any deal.

Such a trade would make sense for both sides. The Cardinals are looking to upgrade their rotation, having been linked to the likes of Erick Fedde. Katie Woo of The Athletic reported that the Cardinals are targeting cost-controlled starting pitching for Edman. The Yankees, meanwhile, are still looking for an upgrade at third base and another solid bat in the lineup.

Edman does have experience at the hot corner, with 94 career games at third. He could also slot around the diamond, with experience at second, short, center and right field. Although Edman has missed the entirety of the 2024 season due to surgery on his right wrist and a sprained ankle, he has started playing in rehab games at Double-A Springfield.

Cortes was a revelation for the Yankees in 2021 and 2022, a journeyman starter who suddenly blossomed into an All-Star. While injuries ruined his 2023 season, Cortes has still been a serviceable back-of-the-rotation arm, posting a 4.13 ERA and a 1.206 WHiP over his 124.1 innings entering Monday, striking out 116 batters with 26 walks. He is also under team control through 2025, making him more than a rental.

Trading Cortes for Edman would help lengthen the lineup, but it would open another hole. Starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt is on the 60-day injured list due to a right lat strain. Although he is throwing bullpen sessions, he is not expected back until late August. The Yankees may look to limit Luis Gil's innings down the stretch, making another starting pitcher even more important. 

A Cortes-for-Edman swap makes sense in a vacuum but may not be the best option for the Yankees.