Yankees reportedly pushing for bombshell Jack Flaherty trade, floating Nestor Cortes

According to Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes Jr. a few hours ago, he's still preparing for his next start on Wednesday in Philadelphia like it's business as usual, and has not heard from his agent regarding any distinct trade possibilities, though he's been informed he's on the market.

Based on the latest intel, it seems his agent might not have been fully transparent the last time they touched base.

Bob Nightengale noted on Monday afternoon that the Yankees are in "extensive talks" for Tigers starter Jack Flaherty, who's been scratched from his scheduled start already.

If the Yankees are able to push the addition of Flaherty, a rental, across the finish line, they will then look to deal Cortes, presumably for more offensive help.

Yankees Rumors: New York in "extensive talks" for Jack Flaherty

Jazz Chisholm, starting his second ever game in a Yankees uniform, is already set to try third base Monday night for the first time at the big-league level. That ... probably isn't the team's ideal plan moving forward. Something else is brewing.

Doubt the source if you'd like, but a Flaherty addition makes all the sense in the world, and with Clarke Schmidt reportedly coming back in late August, the Yankees don't need to keep Cortes and his additional year of control if they don't believe in him as a postseason starter (or have another upgrade opportunity on the table). Everyone from Jon Heyman to St. Louis beat writer Katie Woo had Cortes pegged as a trade candidate in recent days. Ultimately, Woo thought Cortes might be used in the Tommy Edman swap the Dodgers, Cards, and White Sox ultimately made.

The Yankees came up on the outside looking in for that particular deal, but could still pay a hefty-ish price for Flaherty, the strongest rental arm on the market. He struggled in Baltimore last summer after a deadline deal (6.75 ERA in seven starts), but has rebounded spectacularly this season (2.95 ERA/3.10 FIP, 133 strikeouts in 106 2/3 innings, a personality to match NY).

Everson Pereira's Tommy John surgery hurts here, but he still could be central to a theoretical package, which shouldn't be too painful, even given the level of competition. If a Flaherty deal does pass the finish line, expect Cortes to soon follow (and to have some very complex feelings about it).