The New York Yankees have done an excellent job recovering after losing Juan Soto in free agency. They’ve added starting pitcher Max Fried, closer Devin Williams, and outfielder Cody Bellinger.
There are a few holes left in the Yankees’ roster. New York needs to add a first baseman and an additional infielder if it wants to be at full strength. After that, some bullpen arms wouldn’t hurt either.
Rucker Haringey of FanSided expects the Yankees to add more bullpen arms through trades this winter. In those trades, Haringey predicts the Yankees to trade away top pitching prospect Will Warren. Warren is the Yankees’ fifth-ranked prospect and No. 1 pitching prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
“Cashman and the front office will look to trade for a few cost-controlled bullpen arms to keep their payroll in check after the Bellinger trade,” Haringey wrote. “Warren is one of the members of the 40-man roster who could be headed out in one of those trades.
“It’s difficult to envision a path towards a spot for him in the team’s rotation anytime soon. He’s a valuable swing arm who can come out of the minors but he’s likely ready for a larger role even if it comes for another team.”
Warren, 25, was the Yankees’ eighth round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. The righty posted excellent minor league seasons in 2022 and 2023 before posting a near 6.00 ERA in a lackluster 2024. Warren got his chance with the Yankees big league club last season, but he surrendered 33 hits and five home runs in 22 2/3 innings at the big league level.
With the Bronx Bombers adding Fried at the top of their rotation, there’s no room for him, but he’s too talented to be the centerpiece of a trade for a bullpen arm. The Yankees could form a trade around him to acquire an infielder or another starting pitcher.