According to Peter Gammons of The Athletic, a pair of New York Yankees prospects are being scouted in case the Yankees make a deal for a starting pitcher at the upcoming MLB trade deadline.
Could one or both of these New York Yankees prospects be on the move via trade at the MLB trade deadline?
In the article by Gammons (subscription required), the author says that the Cincinnati Reds have already taken a look at New York Yankees pitching prospect Will Warren, who is ranked 27th on the list of New York’s top prospects per MLB.com. Warren was an eighth-round pick of the Yankees in the 2021 MLB draft and is already pitching at Double-A, posting a 3.12 ERA in five starts covering 26.0 innings. Opponents are hitting .250 against him.
The Reds are looking at Warren in anticipation that the Yankees could make a bid for Cincinnati starter Luis Castillo, who will be a wanted man as the trade deadline comes closer. The Yankees are just one of a number of teams who are reportedly interested in Castillo, so it will likely become a bidding war. With that in mind, will the Yankees be aggressive with their farm system, particularly the 23-year-old Warren?
How about Luis Gil, who has actually pitched for the Yankees already in his young career, starting seven games over the last two seasons? Gammons reports that the 24-year-old right-hander is on “ask lists” for other teams when it comes to potential trade assets coming from the Yankees.
Gil, who is currently ninth on MLB.com’s list of top Yankees prospects, has a career 3.78 in his starts with the Yankees, but was roughed up in his only appearance so far of the 2022 campaign, giving up four runs and five hits in four innings in a May 12 start against the Chicago White Sox. However, he did strike out five during the outing, part of the 43 strikeouts he has in 33.1 MLB innings.
Will the New York Yankees go after starting pitching or other assets at the MLB trade deadline? If so, it may cost them a high price with a coveted prospect.