The New York Yankees have acquired All-Star closer from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for left-handed pitcher Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin, the team announced on Friday. Additionally, the Yankees will send over $1 million to the Brewers as part of the deal.
A 30-year-old right-hander, is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season. He missed the start of the 2024 season due to two stress fractures in his back, only making his debut on July 28. Despite the injury, he finished the season with an impressive 14 saves in 15 opportunities, posting a 1.25 ERA, while striking out 38 and walking 11 in 21 2/3 innings. His fastball averaged 94.7 mph, and he threw it 53.5% of the time, complementing it with his signature “Airbender” changeup (45%) and a small percentage of cutters (1.5%).
A two-time All-Star in 2022 and 2023, he was selected by the Brewers in the second round of the 2013 amateur draft. Over his six-year career, he has compiled a 27-10 record, 1.83 ERA, and 68 saves in 78 chances, with 375 strikeouts and 112 walks across 235 2/3 innings in 241 games.
Last month, the Milwaukee Brewers declined a $10.5 million club option for Devin Williams, opting instead for a $250,000 buyout, which made Williams eligible for arbitration.
Nestor Cortes, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Tuesday, was an All-Star in 2022, finishing with a 12-4 record and a career-best 2.44 ERA in 28 starts. However, his 2023 season was marred by a strained left rotator cuff, limiting him to just one start after May 30. Cortes also dealt with a flexor strain in his left elbow late in 2024. He returned for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, making an appearance in Game 1 where he retired Shohei Ohtani on a foulout before allowing a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman.
Known for his diverse pitching deliveries, Cortes has a career record of 33-21 with a 3.80 ERA in 86 starts and 49 relief appearances over seven seasons. He is eligible for arbitration and can become a free agent after next season.
The Yankees had an excess of starting pitchers, especially after reaching a pending agreement with left-hander Max Fried on an eight-year, $218 million deal. The rotation is expected to include ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman.
Caleb Durbin, a 25-year-old infielder, had an impressive year, hitting .287 with 10 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He also spent time in big league camp during spring training and posted a .312 batting average with five homers, 21 RBIs, and 29 steals in 24 games at the Arizona Fall League.
“I think he’s a stud,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said last month. “Great bat-to-ball, elite ability on the bases as a base stealer, good defender in the middle of the diamond, second base. He’s really started over the last year-plus to create some position flexibility, too. He’s played some short, he’s played some third. We introduced him to some outfield this year.”
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