Nestor Cortes is getting another shot, and there’s plenty of reason to be happy for him.
The former Yankee left-hander has agreed to a major-league deal with the Phillies while he works back from surgery for a torn biceps tendon. He hasn’t pitched in the majors in 2026, but Philadelphia is clearly betting there’s still something usable in that funky delivery.
Cortes always felt like one of the easier Yankees to root for. He competed, embraced New York and made the All-Star team in 2022. He wasn’t Gerrit Cole, but he still gave the Yankees a lot of good baseball.
And whenever his name comes up, the trade does too.
On December 13, 2024, the Yankees sent Cortes, Caleb Durbin and cash considerations to Milwaukee in exchange for Devin Williams. Williams was bad and was headed for free agency after the 2025 season, which meant the Yankees gave up all of that for one year of him.
That one year was rough.
Durbin, meanwhile, thrived with the Brewers and later ended up with the Red Sox, where he’s batting around .258 with 12 homers, 62 RBIs and 16 stolen bases this season. Just last week, he put together a three-hit, five-RBI game that featured a grand slam.
So the obvious question hangs there: could Caleb Durbin have been the Yankees’ second baseman instead of the drama with Torres and then the move for Jazz? Um Yes. It have been nice to find out.
Instead, the Yankees gave away a useful young infielder and a pitcher they actually liked for one disappointing season of Devin Williams. Williams is now with the Mets, Durbin is helping the Red Sox, and the Yankees are still looking for answers while struggling to score runs.
And yes, the alternative is the Jazz Chisholm show. Talented?
Absolutely. But the showboating annoys the crap out of me, especially when this offense can’t consistently push runs across the plate.
As for Cortes, good for him. I hope he gets healthy and does well in Philadelphia.
That trade, though? It was just annoying.
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Aaron Judge's Return Suddenly Means Everything For The Yankees Offense
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The next steps are still measured, but they matter because the Yankees are trying to line up a healthy stretch before the playoffs. Judge has been swinging in the pool and now moves into a more traditional hitting build-up, while the team is also hoping other injured pieces can make it back in time to give the lineup a late lift. [Read more 🡒]