NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees have bolstered their pitching depth by making a trade with the Guardians, acquiring right-hander Cody Morris in exchange for outfielder Estevan Florial. The move comes as the Yankees aim to address the loss of several arms in recent trades.

Morris, 27, brings both starting and relief experience to the Yankees. In six relief appearances for Cleveland last season, he posted a 6.75 ERA. Over his two big league seasons with a total of 13 appearances, including five starts, Morris holds a 1-2 record and a 3.41 ERA, with 32 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings.

With the trade, the Yankees hope that Morris could potentially compete for the No. 5 starter's job or provide valuable bullpen support. Manager Aaron Boone expressed optimism about the young prospects within the organization, with players like Will Warren, Chase Hampton, and Luis Gil expected to make significant contributions this season. Warren, ranked as the Yankees' No. 8 prospect, and Hampton, ranked fourth, are among the talented players who could potentially fill the pitching void.

The acquisition of Morris is a proactive move for the Yankees, who recently traded four pitchers to the Padres as part of the Juan Soto trade, and three pitchers to the Red Sox in the Alex Verdugo deal. The team made it clear that they do not foresee pursuing another outfielder beyond their current roster, which includes Soto, Verdugo, Aaron Judge, and Trent Grisham.

On the other side of the trade, Estevan Florial, 26, is heading to the Guardians. Florial batted .230 in 19 games for the Yankees last season, but his potential roster spot was uncertain due to the team's outfield depth. He spent the majority of last season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he showed promise by hitting .284 with 28 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases in 101 games.

During his four seasons with the Yankees, Florial has had limited playing time, appearing in 48 career games and batting .209. The trade presents a new opportunity for Florial to make an impact with the Guardians and further develop his skills.

The Yankees' acquisition of Cody Morris and their decision to part ways with Estevan Florial highlight the team's commitment to strengthening their pitching staff. As the 2024 season approaches, fans eagerly await the competition for the No. 5 starter role and the team's overall performance on the mound.