The trading of Adam Warren from the Yankees might come back to haunt them, as he was reliable pitcher to take the mound when called upon.
By Jamie Martin
Adam Warren was a very solid pitcher for the New York Yankees, one that was versatile and had a commendable work rate. He was often a victim of his own versatility, finding himself as the odd man out despite consistency and an attitude matched by few.
Warren was a solid starter and a very effective reliever who will no doubt end up thriving in Chicago.
But, the Yankees decided that in order to acquire young, controllable talent in the infield, that they needed to give up a valuable asset in Warren. As GM Brian Cashman put it, “You have to give to get.”
Trading Adam Warren for infielder Starlin Castro addressed a need but also eliminated an area of strength.
READ MORE: For The New York Yankees, Starlin Castro Is The Right Call
He was an important player for the Yankees, a durable middle reliever who could also slot into the rotation when needed and never expressed a desire to change his role.
There aren’t many guys like Warren in Major League Baseball, and the Yankees will struggle to replace him.
The 28-year-old, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2009 MLB draft by the Yankees, holds a career ERA of 3.39. Last season, splitting time as a starter and in the bullpen, the Alabama native went 7-7 with 3.29 ERA.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi often utilized Warren in big situations and in long relief as the right hander is capable of providing multiple innings of work.
He was someone that could be leaned upon in almost any situation. Now, the Yankees will have to replace a valuable member of their ball club who is, to some degree, irreplaceable.
Though the trade may have made sense, giving up Warren will ultimately come back to haunt the Yankees. There is no true replacement in line, and the probable candidates haven’t shown the quality that is necessary to succeed in a role similar to that of Warren. Names that come to mind are Bryan Mitchell and Caleb Cotham, two young, right-handed pitchers that have come through the Yankees organization.
Mitchell, a 24-year-old from North Carolina, pitched to a 6.37 ERA in 20 appearances that came mainly as a reliever. Cotham, a 28-year-old from Tennessee, carries a lesser reputation than Mitchell, but was used similarly in 12 games for the Yankees this past season earning a 6.52 ERA.
Of the two, Mitchell is highly regarded by both Cashman and Girardi, but is yet to truly show signs of the potential that many believe he possesses.
With the numbers of both Mitchell and Cotham less than impressive, the Yankees could turn elsewhere for someone who fits Warren’s former role. A tight budget and limited options on the trade market could leave Girardi’s bullpen feeling short handed. Though the acquisition of Castro was an impressive one that needed to be made, this trade will end up hurting the Yankees rotation and bullpen in the long run. For a team that is hoping to stockpile young, controllable pitching, this provides a setback that achieves the opposite.
Adam Warren was a true Yankee, one that knew how to get the job done and had versatility that many fail to match.
He will be a very valuable asset for the Chicago Cubs and should have a successful Major League career. Starlin Castro will end up being a great player for the New York Yankees and is a very promising talent. On the surface, it is a win-win trade, but in the end it will likely be the Cubs that reap the greater benefits.
Letting go Adam Warren, one of the most important players on the Yankees roster, will end up becoming one of Brian Cashman’s biggest regrets.
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