NESTOR'S NEXT SHOT & CASHMAN’S MESS LIVES ON

Nestor Cortes is getting another shot, and good for him.

The former Yankee lefty has agreed to a major-league deal with the Phillies as he works his way back from surgery for a torn biceps tendon. Cortes hasn't pitched in the majors in 2026, but Philadelphia apparently believes there might still be something left in that funky delivery.

I always liked Nestor. He was a good Yankee. He competed, embraced New York and became an All-Star in 2022. He wasn't Gerrit Cole, but he gave the Yankees some damn good baseball.

And every time I hear his name, I think about that trade.

On December 13, 2024, the Yankees shipped Cortes, Caleb Durbin and cash considerations to Milwaukee for Devin Williams. Williams sucked and was headed for free agency after the 2025 season, meaning the Yankees essentially surrendered all of that for one year of him.

And what a year it was.

Meanwhile, Durbin played great with the Brewers and eventually wound up with the Red Sox, where he's hitting around .258 with 12 homers, 62 RBIs and 16 stolen bases this season. Just last week, he had a three-hit, five-RBI game that included a grand slam.

So, here's my question: could Caleb Durbin have been our second baseman instead of the drama with Torres and then getting Jazz? Um Yes. It have been nice to find out.

Instead, the Yankees gave away a useful young infielder and a pitcher we actually liked for one disappointing season of Devin Williams. Williams is now across town with the Mets, Durbin is helping the Red Sox, and the Yankees are still searching for answers while struggling to score runs.

And yes, instead we get 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.

I'm happy for Nestor. I hope he gets healthy and does well in Philadelphia.

But that trade? It was just annoying.