The Milwaukee Brewers have not gotten anything near what they hoped for when they added Yankees starter Nestor Cortes last December. What they’ve gotten is two starts all season, the last in early April. Cortes isn’t to blame for that – injuries are – but now he is rumored on the trade block. The Yankees need pitching help: reunion incoming? Fans in the Bronx certainly hope not.
Milwaukee Brewers’ Nestor Cortes would not be pick of the people for rotation reinforcement
Milwaukee has long awaited a Cortes return, ever since he hit the injured list with elbow problems after start number two. At this point, however, the Brewers have a considerable surplus of starters. As opposed to flipping somone like Jose Quintana, they might be best served by moving on from Cortes.
He was supposed to be a cog in the Brewers’ starting five, the main piece in the return package for fireballer Devin Williams. But then-prospect Caleb Durbin has emerged as the real gem. Milwaukee’s everyday third baseman is having a standout rookie season.
Both Quintana and Cortes will be free agents by season’s end. Whereas the former has been a contributing member of the rotation (15 starts, 3.50 ERA), Cortes has barely shown his face. Dealing him instead poses no risk of disrupting Milwaukee’s magic, which has them atop the NL Central Division with MLB’s best record.
New York could definitely use another starter. Clarke Schmidt is done for the year. Converted reliever Ryan Yarborough is also injured. The Yankees have relied on aces Carlos Rodon and Max Fried to provide, effectively, the rotation’s only quality starts.
They do have internal help coming; 2024 Rookie of the Year Luis Gil is set to return after missing the entire season thus far. Even so ESPN reports that, clinging to the lead in a heated wild card race, New York is still seeking rotation aid.
Yankees fans are not happy to see Cortes linked to their team in rumors. While solid last season, posting a 3.77 ERA and 8.4 K/9, he has had his ups and downs in New York. He has hardly pitched in 2025 and could be rusty upon return. Though his price as an injured rental should be none too high, disdain for a potential reunion is understandable.
Yankees faithful flocked to the comments to express this sentiment when the New York Post’s Jon Heyman floated the possibility.
God no.
— MadGood Knicks Show™ (@MadGoodKS) July 28, 2025
More than a few simply replied,”Nope.” Others referenced his injury issues even as a Yankee.
“I think that bridge may be burned,” one fan remarked, while another said, “Jon, come on, let’s be real.”
A few “yeas” surfaced amidst the ocean of “nays,” but seeing Cortes in pinstripes again does not seem a popular prospect among New Yorkers on social media. While the Brewers could still deal him, other fanbases might be less hostile recipients.
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