Amid Jack Flaherty trade buzz, Nestor Cortes still 'confident that the Yankees want me'

PHILADELPHIA – On the eve of MLB’s trade deadline, Nestor Cortes faced the possibility that he’s made his final start as a Yankee.

As trade discussions heated up Monday, “my agent knows that my name has been thrown around,’’ said Cortes, who relayed that to the Yanks’ lefty.

USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale reported Monday afternoon that the Yankees were in “extensive’’ talks with the Detroit Tigers about starter Jack Flaherty, with Cortes connected to a potential trade.

Cortes is scheduled to start here Wednesday for the Yankees in their series finale against the Phillies, but a lot can happen before Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline.

“I’m just confident that the Yankees want me enough to stay here,’’ Cortes said. “Sometimes, it’s just because they need to improve in other areas, but other than that, just taking it day by day, hour, minute by minute.’’

Speaking Monday afternoon, Cortes said he hadn’t been contacted by anyone in the Yankees’ front office about a potential deal.

Projections: Projecting the Yankees' lineup with Jazz Chisholm playing third base

“I’m not thinking about being moved from here. If it happens, it happens,’’ said Cortes. “But I’m not worried about it.

“I really want to be here, and I really want to win,’’ said Cortes, who was about to throw a bullpen session in preparation for Wednesday’s start.

It’s been a bumpy season for Cortes (4-9, 4.13 ERA), with stark home-road splits; at Yankee Stadium, he’s 4-4 with a 2.48 ERA in 11 starts and 0-5 with a 6.18 ERA in 11 away starts.

But he’s been durable, coming off a 2023 season wrecked by a left rotator cuff strain, limiting him to 12 starts.

“Did a lot of good, some bad, still fighting, still trying to claw my way into being a proven starter and winning for this team,’’ Cortes said, reviewing his Yankees career – including a breakout 2022 All-Star season.

Cortes, 29, is under team control through the 2025 season, after which he is eligible for free agency.

A free agent at season's end, Flaherty, 28, is 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 18 starts with Detroit, having signed a one-year, $14 million deal.

Flaherty was traded from St. Louis to Baltimore at last year's trade deadline, but the right-hander pitched to a disappointing 6.75 ERA in nine games (seven starts) down the stretch.

After dealing three prospects, including catcher Agustin Ramirez, for infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm, the Yankees were still searching for pitching help and another hitter.

“I don’t think there’s anything concrete, but the word is out there,’’ Cortes said of his involvement in Yankees trade talks.

“I think I’ve done a pretty good job of blocking it out. I’m still on this team, I’m still trying to win for this team.

“Of course I want to stay. This is a winning team,’’ said Cortes, a 36 ^th round Yankees' pick on his third tour with the organization. “It’s the team I got drafted by, that’s given me a lot of opportunities.’’

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Amid Jack Flaherty trade buzz, Nestor Cortes still 'confident that the Yankees want me'