Will Warren’s most recent outing was nothing short of disastrous, and New York Yankees fans quickly voiced their opinions on social media.
Warren has posted a 5.17 ERA over his first four starts this season, failing to pitch beyond five innings in any of them. It’s clear to Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone that they can’t rely on him long-term, and pursuing Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez would be a smart move.
Valdez has had an up-and-down start to the season, carrying a 4.91 ERA through four outings. He’s looked like two different pitchers — tossing 13 scoreless innings in his first and third starts, but giving up 12 earned runs over just nine innings in his second and fourth.
Last season, the two-time All-Star recorded a solid 2.91 ERA over 28 starts, giving hope that he can rebound from his recent struggles. Encouragingly, Valdez has also been racking up strikeouts at a noticeably higher clip this year, posting a 9.8 K/9 — a marked improvement over his previous seasons.
Valdez has also been affected by some shaky defense behind him in Houston, as evidenced by his 3.37 FIP — suggesting his performance on the mound has been better than his inflated ERA indicates.
The left-hander is slated to hit free agency after this season. With the Astros currently sitting at the bottom of the AL West standings, he could be dealt at the trade deadline if the team fails to climb out of last place.
If both the Astros and Will Warren continue to struggle, the Yankees should seriously consider making a move and not hesitate to strike a deal.
