Yankees Urged to Trade Promising Pitcher Swiftly

The New York Yankees are preparing for a busy offseason following another disappointing playoff run. With the aim of upgrading their roster, they are considering various trades and acquisitions. As Carlos Rodón and Gerrit Cole are likely to start the 2026 season on the injured list, the need for pitching has become crucial for the team.

Evaluating Will Warren’s Performance

Among the Yankees’ pitching options is Will Warren, who had a noteworthy rookie season. In 2025, he achieved a 4.44 ERA with 171 strikeouts over 162 1/3 innings. His contributions made him one of the most reliable pitchers in the rotation, even behind seasoned players like Max Fried and Carlos Rodón.

Initially, Warren’s performance was hampered by bad luck, reflected in his 3.46 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and 3.58 Expected FIP (xFIP) during the first half of the season. His strikeout rate of 10.57 per nine innings was impressive, even though his ERA was 4.63 during that period.

Challenges in the Second Half

Warren faced difficulties in the second half of the season, recording a 4.16 ERA along with a troubling 5.27 xERA and 4.93 FIP across 67 innings. His late-season struggles became evident as he posted a 6.46 ERA in his final three regular-season games. This slump continued into the playoffs, where he allowed six earned runs in just 4 2/3 innings against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game Two of the ALDS on October 5, 2025.

Warren’s Future with the Yankees

Despite his recent challenges, Warren’s prospective value in trades cannot be overlooked. He is under contract until 2030, making him an appealing prospect for teams seeking depth in their pitching rotation. The Yankees are likely to weigh this factor when considering potential trades.

• Warren’s 2025 Stats:
• 4.44 ERA
• 171 strikeouts
• 162 1/3 innings
• 3.46 FIP
• 3.58 xFIP
• 10.57 strikeouts per nine innings
• 4.16 ERA in the second half

With several promising prospects preparing for their big-league debuts, Warren could be seen as expendable. His performance metrics, particularly those indicating poor underlying results, may prompt the Yankees to include him in trade discussions.

As the Yankees look to make significant changes this offseason, trading Will Warren might be a proactive step. His ability to generate solid results will likely attract interest from other teams, positioning the Yankees for potential roster improvements.