The New York Yankees have made impressive strides in the wake of losing Juan Soto in free agency, bolstering their roster with key acquisitions such as starting pitcher Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, and outfielder Cody Bellinger. However, there are still a few areas of weakness that the team needs to address before reaching full strength. Specifically, the Yankees are in need of a first baseman and an additional infielder. After filling those gaps, some additional bullpen help would also go a long way.
Rucker Haringey of FanSided predicts that the Yankees will target more bullpen arms through trades this offseason, and a key piece that could be moved in these deals is top pitching prospect Will Warren. The 25-year-old right-hander is currently ranked as the Yankees’ fifth-best overall prospect and their No. 1 pitching prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Haringey speculates that Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman and the front office will look to bring in cost-controlled bullpen help to manage their payroll following the Bellinger trade. Warren, who is on the 40-man roster, is seen as a potential trade chip. With the Yankees’ rotation already bolstered by Fried at the top, Warren’s path to a starting role seems blocked, making him a valuable asset that could be used in a deal to address other team needs. “It’s tough to see a clear path for him in the rotation right now,” Haringey writes, noting that while Warren could be a versatile arm coming out of the bullpen, he’s ready for a larger role elsewhere.
- Will Warren
Drafted in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Warren made a name for himself with strong minor league performances in 2022 and 2023. However, his 2024 season was less impressive, as he posted a near 6.00 ERA in the minors. He did get a brief call-up to the Yankees’ major league roster, but struggled, allowing 33 hits and five home runs in 22 2/3 innings.
Given the Yankees’ crowded rotation with the addition of Fried, Warren likely doesn’t have a future as a starter with the team. However, his talent makes him too valuable to be simply discarded. Instead, the Yankees could use him as the centerpiece of a trade to acquire an infielder or potentially another starting pitcher, addressing some of their remaining needs while continuing to strengthen the overall roster.
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