Could The Yankees Upgrade Their Pitching By Trading Ben Hess?

Interesting, but you’re asking me, for who and… who’s Ben Hess again? I get it.

Yankees fans and the media that follow them are constantly exploring ways to improve the team’s competitiveness. Offensively, the Yankees have been outstanding, and last night’s game showcased strong pitching performances from Max Fried and Luke Weaver. Still, there’s a growing concern that the Yankees’ pitching staff won’t hold up as the season progresses. Relying on offensive firepower alone isn’t sustainable—it’s just the reality.

Take Jazz Chisholm, for example. He’s now sidelined for 4–6 weeks, a reminder of how quickly things can change. Aaron Judge is having a phenomenal season, and while I admire what he’s doing, it’s hard to believe he can maintain this level of production all year long. My point is sooner, or later things break down and that’s why pitching is so important.

That brings us to the idea of adding pitching depth. Tyler Anderson of the Los Angeles Angels is reportedly on the trade block. A veteran lefty with a 2.67 ERA over six starts, Anderson has been impressive, but since he’s entering free agency after the season, he likely wouldn’t require a major prospect haul in return.

The possibility of an Anderson trade is real—MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger even listed him among the top trade candidates this year. If the Yankees pursue a starting pitcher, they might need to part with some decent prospects. ESPN recently discussed possible trade assets and highlighted Ben Hess, the Yankees’ first-round pick last year, as a potential chip. David Schoenfield wrote:

“No Gerrit Cole. Luis Gil is working his way back from a lat issue. Carlos Carrasco and Marcus Stroman haven’t been reliable. Clarke Schmidt just returned, but the rotation could definitely use a boost. Trading top prospect George Lombard Jr. seems unlikely, and Spencer Jones’ value has dipped. So, a couple of pitchers make more sense. Warren has major league experience and could help right away. Hess, though further from the majors, may offer more upside.”

In 2021, Hess was recognized as Illinois’ top high school baseball prospect, but instead of turning pro, he chose to play for Alabama. Injuries sidelined him at times during his first two collegiate seasons, but he remained healthy throughout 2024, recording a 5.80 ERA while striking out 35 percent of opposing batters. His talent earned him a place in Crimson Tide history as the program’s third-ever first-round draft pick, joining Joe Vitiello and Taylor Tankersley. Selected 26th overall, he secured a $2,747,500 signing bonus and is set to make his professional debut this season.

It’s an intriguing scenario, but personally, I just don’t see it happening.