Every MLB team prioritizes pitching depth, so it’s unsurprising that the New York Yankees declined multiple trade inquiries regarding right-handed pitcher Will Warren following the 2024 season.
Yankees reject trade offers for Warren
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, several teams approached the Yankees about Warren during the offseason, but New York consistently rejected these offers. The organization clearly believes Warren has considerable untapped potential beyond what he displayed in his limited MLB action last year.
Warren, an eighth-round pick from the 2021 MLB Draft, made his major league debut with the Yankees in July 2024. Over six appearances, including five starts, Warren struggled to a 10.32 ERA. He struck out 29 batters but allowed 33 hits across 22.2 innings pitched.
However, Warren’s inflated ERA largely stems from two particularly rough outings. He conceded 26 earned runs total, with half occurring in just two games against the Los Angeles Angels (eight runs) and Colorado Rockies (five runs). These performances significantly skewed his overall statistics.
Entering the 2025 season, Warren is highly regarded within the Yankees’ organization, ranking as their No. 5 prospect, per MLB.com. Warren’s arsenal includes two above-average pitches: a sharp fastball and a slider with notable potential. Scouts particularly praise his slider, highlighting its excellent horizontal and vertical movement combined with exceptional spin rates that sometimes exceed 3,000 rpm.
This spring training has reinforced the Yankees’ belief in Warren’s abilities. Through four appearances, including three starts, Warren has impressed with a stellar 1.54 ERA. He has recorded 12 strikeouts and allowed only four hits over 11.2 innings, indicating significant improvement and readiness to contribute meaningfully at the major league level.
Pitching staff injuries heighten Warren’s importance
The Yankees’ decision to retain Warren appears especially astute given recent developments within their pitching staff. Gerrit Cole, their established ace, underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this week and will miss the entirety of the 2025 season. Additionally, Luis Gil, another important arm in their depth chart, is sidelined until at least June due to a lat strain sustained during spring training.
Replacing a pitcher of Cole’s caliber is an impossible task, but New York did bolster their rotation significantly by signing free-agent left-hander Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million contract this offseason. Fried will assume the role of ace for the Yankees, anchoring the rotation during Cole’s absence.
Despite Fried’s presence, the Yankees must find reliable starters behind him. Warren is among the top candidates manager Aaron Boone is evaluating to fill a spot in the rotation at the outset of the regular season. Warren’s strong spring performance certainly makes him a compelling option.
Yankees’ continued success in pitcher development
The Yankees have excelled in pitcher development in recent years, consistently producing impactful arms who thrive at the major league level. Given Warren’s evident growth and improved performance during spring training, he is well-positioned to continue this trend and become another developmental success story.
If Warren can effectively translate his spring success into the regular season, he could play a pivotal role for the Yankees at a critical moment, providing valuable stability and impact behind Fried as New York navigates a challenging year without Gerrit Cole.
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