The Milwaukee Brewers made waves across Major League Baseball with the blockbuster trade of star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees. In return, the Brewers acquired standout left-handed pitcher, a move that could bolster their rotation for 2025.
The pitcher who missed the end of the 2024 regular season and New York’s first two postseason series due to an elbow flexor strain, is expected to be fully healthy heading into the new year. Brewers General Manager Matt Arnold, speaking via Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, expressed confidence in Cortes’ recovery, noting that the team conducted extensive due diligence on his medical records before finalizing the trade. Arnold emphasized that Cortes has had a healthy offseason and is ready to be a full-time contributor for Milwaukee.
Cortes, a seven-year MLB veteran, has spent six of those seasons with the Yankees, with brief stints in Baltimore and Seattle. Over his career, he has compiled a 33-20 record with a 3.61 ERA and a 575/160 K/BB ratio. His standout 2022 season earned him an All-Star nod after he posted a 12-4 record, a stellar 2.44 ERA, and 163 strikeouts against just 38 walks. In 2024, despite late-season injuries, Cortes appeared in 31 games for the Yankees, recording a 9-10 record, a 3.77 ERA, and a career-high 174.1 innings pitched with 162 strikeouts and 39 walks.
Milwaukee’s pitching staff was a major strength in 2024, finishing fifth in MLB with a 3.65 team ERA, led by Freddy Peralta. However, the team faces uncertainty with Brandon Woodruff, who continues to deal with a significant injury. Adding a proven arm like Cortes positions the Brewers to maintain their competitive edge, especially as division rival Chicago Cubs look to challenge their supremacy in the NL Central.
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