Yankees Rumors: 2 Players Named As Trade Candidates

The New York Yankees continue to hang on to top spot in the AL East—the division that nobody seems to want to take charge of, at this point in the season. Four of the five teams are under .500, while the Yankees have wallowed around at the .500 mark over the past 10 games, and are just 20-16.

With Gerrit Cole out for the year, and Luis Gil still months away, how will the Bronx Bombers solidify their starting rotation after the top three of Max Fried, Carlos Rodon and... Clarke Schmidt?

Per David Schoenfield of ESPN, there are two youngsters he can see the Yankees using as trade bait in a potential deal to bring in some established help for the rotation.

Will Warren

He's got some experience in the majors now after six starts last year and another seven this season, and he could be considered "an MLB-ready starter" per Schoenfield. Of course, teams would have to look past the combined 7.71 ERA Warren has accumulated over that stretch, and instead, look more closely at what he worked on this spring, namely: improved command with a new pitch mix, and a stronger approach between the ears.

"I can’t really control anything other than how well I go out there and throw the ball, so that’s been my mindset the whole time.”

He came into the season as the Yankees' top pitching prospect—at least of those ready for The Show.

Ben Hess

He's a little farther away, but the 22-year-old is the Yanks' No. 3 overall prospect, pitching in High-A this season. He was a first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. He'd be a good commodity on the trade market, able to help them haul in an established starter from a team ready to sell.