Yankees Rumors: 'Multiple Teams Tried to Trade for RHP Will Warren' in MLB Free Agency

Every MLB team is looking for pitching depth at all times, so it's no surprise the New York Yankees rebuffed trade inquiries for Will Warren after the 2024 season.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, "multiple teams tried to trade for right-hander Will Warren" during the offseason to no avail.

Passan noted the Yankees believe Warren has a lot more to offer than what he showed in his few big league appearances last year.

An eighth-round pick in the 2021 MLB draft, Warren made his Yankees debut last July. He made six appearances (five starts), posting a 10.32 ERA with 29 strikeouts and 33 hits allowed in 22.2 innings.

It was really only two starts that sank Warren's numbers. He allowed a total of 26 earned runs across six appearances, with half of them coming in games against the Los Angeles Angels (eight) and Colorado Rockies (five).

MLB.com has Warren ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the Yankees' system entering this season. He has two above-average pitches in the fastball and slider, with the latter grading as a potential plus offering thanks to "plenty of horizontal and vertical action and spin rates that can top 3,000 rpm."

Warren has been a standout player for the Yankees in spring training. He has a 1.54 ERA with 12 strikeouts and four hits allowed in 11.2 innings over four appearances (three starts).

New York's decision to hold onto Warren looks very smart right now. Gerrit Cole will miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery this week.

Luis Gil is expected to be out until at least June after suffering a strained lat in spring training.

There's no other pitcher the Yankees have, either on their 26-man roster or in the minors, who can replicate what Cole does. They do have Max Fried to step in as their ace after he signed an eight-year, $218 million contract in free agency.

Warren is among the pitchers that Yankees manager Aaron Boone is considering to put in the rotation at the start of the regular season with Cole out.

Few teams in MLB have been as good at developing pitchers in recent years as the Yankees. Warren could be another success story for the organization if he takes off this season at a time when they desperately need another impact starter behind Fried.