MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Linked to 2 Cardinals in Trade Package

The New York Yankees have been here before with the St. Louis Cardinals. One year ago at the trade deadline, New York pulled off a notable trade with the Cards, sending pitcher Jordan Montgomery in exchange for outfielder Harrison Bader. 

Now the two sides might be at it again, as MLB Insider and former GM Jim Bowden says that the Yanks could be looking to regain a pitcher as well as an outfielder from St. Louis. What he's hearing would look like this:

NY Yankees Receive:

• Jack Flaherty, SP
• Dylan Carlson, OF

Cardinals Receive:

• 3 Yankees pitching prospects

Per Bowden, "The Yankees’ goal for the trade deadline is to land a starting pitcher and a two-way left fielder, and one swoop transaction with the Cardinals could address both needs."

And as noted by Chris Kirschner of The Athletics, "the Yankees and Cardinals are obvious trade partners," as the Cards are looking to boost their system with top pitching prospects, which the Yankees have plenty of. 

Flaherty, 27, is a former Cy Young candidate, but has been ravaged by injuries the past few seasons. He's battling to find his previous dominant form and thus far in 2023 is 7-5 with a 4.29 ERA but with an ugly 1.53 WHIP. He's been walking 4.7 batters per nine innings. But if he taps into that previous form, he could be a great add. He's a rental, however, as he'll be a free agent after the season.

Carlson missed some time earlier in the year due to injury, and has been battling to retain his spot in a crowded Cardinals outfield. He's hitting .236 with five homers in 210 plate appearances, and a .710 OPS. The Cards are certainly looking to ease the logjam in their outfield. 

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