For the 2024 MLB season, the New York Yankees have locked in their starting pitching rotation. The missing link was addressed when Brian Cashman shook hands with Marcus Stroman. After failing to land Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery, the front office pivoted to Stroman in a two-year $37 million deal.
Having said that, as far as the depth is concerned, the New York Yankees have failed to address that area this off-season. Besides the five-man rotation, the Yanks do not possess a backup starter in case of an injury breakout. Meanwhile, pitching coach Matt Blake has dropped hints on the promotion of a top prospect sometime this season.
Yankees Likely To Promote Will Warren This Year To Extend Rotational Depth
The New York Yankees drafted Will Warren in the eighth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He has mostly played in minor leagues ever since and witnessed a meteoric rise. In 2023, Warren posted a 3.61 ERA across 21 appearances in Triple-A. Besides, the pitcher has the ability to command the strike zone, generate swings and misses, and keep opposing hitters off balance. Needless to say, Warren’s meteoric rise has caught the Yanks’ attention. Recently, the club’s pitching coach, Matt Blake, addressed the lack of depth issue in the starting rotation. He suggested Yanks might use Will Warren as back up sometime in the 2024 season. Blake added how he expects the pitcher to be in starter conversation this year.
Though Blake believes that if rotation stays healthy, Warren will probably miss out. But in a scenario when a starter is missing due to injuries or any other adverse circumstances, Will Warren will likely be the team’s first choice of a replacement. Not only that, the pitching coach is really impressed with the work the prospect has put in over in Tampa. “But I do know that everybody’s excited about the work he’s done to put himself in the conversation,” Blake added. Needless to say, the No. 2 pitching prospect of the Yanks will receive his much-deserved due sometime this season. With Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes highly susceptible to injuries, Warren should count on his debut this year. Overall, the spring training will set the record straight for Warren’s future.
Yanks Lose Wandy Peralta To San Diego Padres
Wandy Peralta, the New York Yankees top reliever of the 2023 season, signed a four-year contract with San Diego Padres. Peralta elected free agency this off-season after his contract expired. However, the Bronx Bombers were allegedly keen on a reunion. Even the skipper Aaron Boone spoke highly of the relief pitcher in a most recent public appearance.
However, everything went to dust once the San Diego Padres claimed the pitcher in a long-term deal. It’s safe to assume the Yankees probably didn’t want to commit long-term. That forced Peralta to seek the same elsewhere. It’s important to note that the Padres already acquired four pitchers from the Yanks via a blockbuster trade earlier this off-season.
To stay up-to-date with the New York Yankees 2024 season, keep following Sports News International