NEW YORK — As Jack Flaherty prepares for his second appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night, the New York Yankees may be pondering what might have been. The Yankees backed away from acquiring Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers after reviewing his medical records, leaving fans and analysts pondering the impact of the decision.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, when pressed on trade deadline decisions, alluded to the complexities of negotiations, particularly the challenge of meeting the Tigers’ trade requirements. “Getting Flaherty would have been ideal, but the logistics didn’t line up,” Cashman explained.
Further analyzing the trade scenario, Flaherty, with the seventh-best ERA in MLB, could have been a strategic addition for the Yankees. The cost of acquiring Flaherty, catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo, and former Yankees infielder Trey Sweeney suggests that a comparable offer from the Yankees could have included prospects such as Roderick Arias and Jorbit Vivas. Arias, despite his struggles, and Vivas, a potential future starter, could have been traded to secure Flaherty.
The competitive landscape of the American League this season magnifies the importance of acquiring a star pitcher. The Yankees, however, are facing uncertainty in their starting rotation, which has underperformed since June, marked by a collective ERA of 5.48. That slump includes Nestor Cortes, who recently allowed six runs in a single game.
Manager Aaron Boone remains optimistic, citing the imminent return of players from injuries and the overall ability of his team. However, the decision not to pursue Flaherty or other high-caliber pitchers after the failed trade leaves the team’s rotation vulnerable.
The Yankees’ pitching woes are evident, with several starters posting their worst ERAs since June. Despite that, they haven’t made any major moves to bolster the rotation, instead relying on Clarke Schmidt’s potential return from injury to bolster the lineup.
As the season progresses, the Yankees will need to carefully evaluate their strategy. With key pitchers struggling and the playoffs approaching, the team’s current configuration may not be enough to seriously compete in October. The decision to waive Flaherty, given the stakes this season, could loom as the Yankees navigate the remainder of their campaign.
