Will Warren‘s flawless three-inning performance against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday has suddenly transformed the Yankees’ pitching surplus from luxury to dilemma, potentially expediting veteran Marcus Stroman’s departure from the Bronx.
The 25-year-old right-handed prospect retired all nine batters he faced in a 7-0 victory, striking out four and showcasing significant development from his challenging major league debut last season when he posted a 10.32 ERA across six appearances.
“I feel like he’s better,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said following Warren’s perfect outing. “The arsenal continues to improve.”
Warren has now compiled five scoreless innings across two spring appearances, displaying both improved command and pitch sequencing that was lacking during his initial major league stint.
The young right-hander credits his early spring success to a more aggressive approach against hitters, a stark contrast to his tentative style last season.
“Looking back at some stuff from last year, I was always fighting back, I felt like,” Warren explained. “These are the greatest hitters in the world, so when you’re setting it up for them to have success, it’s hard to pitch. Just getting ahead and attacking.”
Beyond his mental approach, Warren has reincorporated his curveball—a pitch previously abandoned—giving him another weapon against left-handed batters. This addition complements his existing arsenal and enhances his potential as a rotation candidate.
“He’s doing a lot of really good things right now,” Boone observed. “As the arsenal gets bigger, it’s just going to allow the ceiling to go a little higher, especially as a starting pitcher.”
Yankees catcher Austin Wells, who has witnessed Warren’s development firsthand, expressed confidence in the pitcher’s major league readiness: “I think he’s going to be an important part of the team. He’s got nasty stuff.”
Stroman’s roster spot in jeopardy?
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Warren’s emergence creates additional complications for the Yankees’ already crowded rotation picture. With Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil occupying the five rotation spots, Stroman finds himself as the odd man out—an uncomfortable position for a veteran earning $18 million in 2025.
The Yankees signed Stroman to a two-year, $37 million contract before the 2024 season, but his standing within the organization diminished considerably when he was left off the postseason roster during the team’s World Series run last October.
Stroman has reportedly made it clear he has no interest in transitioning to a bullpen role, leaving the Yankees with limited options: trade him, keep him as expensive rotation insurance, or pursue some form of contract settlement.
Warren’s continued spring excellence could accelerate the front office’s decision-making process regarding Stroman’s future. If the Yankees believe their young right-hander is ready to contribute at the major league level, they may become more motivated to find a trade partner for the veteran—likely while absorbing a significant portion of his remaining salary.
Rotation depth becomes a competitive advantage
While many MLB teams struggle to assemble five reliable starting pitchers, the Yankees now find themselves with the enviable problem of having too many qualified rotation candidates.
Beyond their established starting five and Stroman, the organization has veterans JT Brubaker and Carlos Carrasco providing additional depth. However, Warren’s ceiling potentially exceeds all of these alternatives, making him the most intriguing option should an opportunity arise through injury or trade.
This pitching surplus positions the Yankees advantageously for both the marathon regular season and potential October baseball, where pitching depth often determines championship outcomes.
Decision timeline approaches
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With Opening Day approaching, the Yankees face increasing pressure to resolve their rotation congestion. Warren’s continued excellence could force the organization’s hand regarding Stroman’s status before the regular season begins.
Multiple sources within baseball operations departments suggest the Yankees may look to package Stroman with prospects to offset a larger portion of his remaining salary in any potential trade. However, finding a partner willing to take on a significant portion of his $18 million contract could prove challenging.
If no suitable trade materializes, the Yankees could retain Stroman as expensive insurance against injury—a scenario that would likely create tension given his desire for a regular rotation role.
For now, Warren continues making his case in the most effective way possible: delivering dominant performances that demonstrate his readiness for major league competition. His development represents both the Yankees’ organizational pitching depth and their ability to develop homegrown talent.
Whether Warren breaks camp with the major league club or begins the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, his spring performance has established him as the next man up should the rotation need reinforcement—and potentially accelerated Marcus Stroman’s exit from the Bronx.
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