Adam Warren

Warren was returned to the Cubs in the second half of 2016 when the Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees, where he showed signs of turning things around during the final two months of the season. He took another step forward in 2017, posting a sub-3.00 ERA for the first time since 2014, while picking up 11 holds over 46 appearances as one of many quality arms in the Yankees' bullpen. Warren used his slider more than ever last season, throwing it 43.6 percent of the time while reducing the use of his fastball, curveball and changeup. That adjustment helped him deliver the highest strikeout rate of his career (24.2 percent K%), and combined with the lowest walk rate he's ever had (6.7 percent BB%), allowed him to return a career-best 0.87 WHIP. With one year of club control remaining before he reaches free agency, Warren will likely return as one of the Yankees' middle-relief options in 2018.

It was a tale of two seasons for Warren, who went from the Yankees to the Cubs over the offseason and then back to the Yankees at the trade deadline. Over 29 appearances in Chicago (28 in relief), Warren struggled with his command to the tune of 4.9 BB/9 and a 5.91 ERA that led to a demotion to Triple-A Iowa toward the end of July. When the Yankees became sellers though, they shipped off Aroldis Chapman in exchange for Warren and immediately deployed the 29-year-old on their major league roster. Though he had served as something of a swingman in the past in New York, the righty was able to get his season back on track by pitching exclusively out of the bullpen -- primarily in seventh or eighth-inning situations. It's possible he could be called upon as an emergency option out of the rotation, but Warren figures to serve as a back of the bullpen option again in 2017.

Warren was one of the Yankees' most reliable starting pitchers in the season's first half, working to a 5-5 record with a 3.59 ERA through 14 starts, but was moved to the bullpen upon the return of Ivan Nova. He was very effective serving as both a late-inning and a longer relief option, managing a 2.29 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 35.1 innings out of the bullpen. He was perhaps a victim of his own success though, as Warren's effectiveness out of the bullpen limited him to just three starts the rest of the way. Though he looked strong once again, his average fastball velocity dropped 1.5 mph from 2014, which is a bit concerning for a 27-year-old, but that could likely be explained by his expanded innings burden. An offseason trade saw Warren dealt to the Cubs, and while nothing is certain, he may stretch out to compete for a spot in the starting rotation.

Warren has become a very stable late-inning option for the Yankees, quietly making a successful shift from starter to reliever in 2013 and taking a big step forward in his second big league season with an increase in his strikeout rate (23.5% K%) and improved control (7.4% BB%). He also kept the ball in the park more frequently, though it remains to be seen if that was merely the result of a more fortunate HR/FB rate (6.0%, down from 13.2% in 2013) or an actual change in approach. Warren is a rare four-pitch reliever, but he showed more life on his fastball last season and averaged a career-high 94.2 mph on his four-seamer, which could make that pitch more viable for him going forward. Dellin Betances has all of the makings of a closer capable of locking down the ninth inning for the Yankees, but Warren should be a useful part of the bridge in the late innings again in 2015.

Warren was pretty good as a long man for the Yankees in 2013, posting a 3.39 ERA over 77 innings. His component numbers were all around league average (8.9% HR/FB, .311 BABIP), so he doesn't appear to have been particularly lucky. Warren doesn't have any plus offerings, and is a contact pitcher. He could see a few spot starts with the Yankees in 2014, but he seems more likely to fill a similar role to the one he held last season.

Injuries forced the Yankees to turn to Warren for a start midway through the season and he appeared completely overmatched, giving up six earned runs in just 2.1 innings. Warren has put up decent minor league numbers as an innings eater, and he could catch on at some point as a back-end starter in some team's rotation, but he appears unlikely to find a role with the Yankees.

The Yankees made noise about giving Warren a spot start or two in 2011, but with the emergence of Ivan Nova, Warren remained in Triple-A, where he had a decent year, going 6-8 with a 3.60 ERA. Warren can show slightly above average fastball velocity, but his secondary pitches are nothing to write home about, and at age 24 it's hard to see him developing much more than he already has. If Warren has a major league future, it's likely as a fifth starter type, and probably for another team despite the Yankees' rotation woes last season.