Padres trade for former Yankees pitcher who blew World Series Game 1 vs Dodgers

The San Diego Padres weren’t going to let the trade deadline pass without stirring the pot. In a move that might not grab the biggest headlines but could pay sneaky dividends down the stretch, the Padres acquired left-hander Nestor Cortés from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfielder Brandon Lockridge. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal first broke the news, with the return package later confirmed by Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

It’s a fascinating deal with shades of “buy low, dream high.” Cortés, once a fan-favorite with the Yankees, arrives in San Diego carrying a mixed bag of promise and recent turbulence. His 2025 season has been plagued by injury and inconsistency, having made just two starts for Milwaukee before landing on the 60-day injured list with a nagging elbow flexor strain. One of those starts was a return to Yankee Stadium that turned into a disaster, tagged for eight earned runs in just two innings in a 20–9 bludgeoning. His second start? A glimmer of what still might be there, six shutout innings with six strikeouts in a 1–0 win over Cincinnati.

Padres land former Yankees lefty in bold buy-low trade

Still, Cortés has barely touched a mound since early April. For the Brewers, who have depth and urgency in other areas, moving on made sense. For the Padres, who’ve watched their rotation wear thin, it’s a calculated risk on a lefty with postseason experience, a career 3.88 ERA, and the kind of funky delivery that can still throw hitters off when he’s right.

But of course, it’s impossible to talk about Cortés right now without mentioning his night last season in Los Angeles.

Just last October, Cortés was thrust into Game 1 of the World Series in extra innings for the Yankees, trying to lock down a narrow 3–2 lead over the Dodgers. The moment was huge and historic, just not in the way he’d hoped. After retiring Shohei Ohtani, Cortés issued an intentional walk to Mookie Betts, only to serve up a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman, the first such ending in World Series history. 

Still, Cortés is only 30 years old, and there’s no doubt the talent is still there when healthy. His funky windups, deceptive arm angles, and bulldog mentality have carried him through far more than just one October meltdown. The Padres clearly believe he has more chapters to write and perhaps a chance to rewrite the narrative that’s followed him since that World Series heartbreak.

As for Lockridge, the Brewers are getting a speedy outfielder who’s struggled to make much of an impact this season. In 47 games, he’s slashing just .216/.258/.261 with no home runs, five RBIs, and eight stolen bases. A change of scenery might be his best shot to reset and reassert himself as a depth option.

In the end, this is one of those classic deadline swings where both teams are betting on upside in underperforming pieces. For the Padres, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the biggest gambles aren’t about fireworks, but about timing. And if Cortés finds his rhythm in San Diego, this under-the-radar move might wind up looking like a low-risk coup.

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