The Marcus Stroman Problem

When the Yankees signed Max Fried, this signaled that the team was interested in moving on from Marcus Stroman. While he had a good first half of the season, he quickly faded away after the all-star break. Despite being included on the ALCS and World Series rosters, Stroman never pitched in any games. The New York Yankees have been actively trying to trade Marcus Stroman all offseason. The 33-year-old is scheduled to make $18.5 million this season. He also has a vesting option for another $18.5 million if he pitches in at least 140 innings. Given that the former all-star is now valued as a fifth starter, this has made it very difficult to trade him away. The Yankees now have a Marcus Stroman problem.

Marcus Stroman Had An Inconsistent Season

Last offseason, the Yankees signed Marcus Stroman to a two-year, $37 million contract. The deal also includes a $18.5 million vesting option if the 33-year-old pitches at least 140 innings. The former All-Star had an inconsistent season in 2024. Before the all-star break, the former Duke stand-out had a record of 7-4 with an ERA of 3.51. However, after the break, Stroman wasn’t the same pitcher as he was in the first half of the season. In nine starts post-all-star break, Stroman went 3-4 and had an ERA of 5.40. Once Nestor Cortes returned from the injured list, Stroman was moved to the bullpen and was left off the ALDS roster. While Stroman was available to pitch in the ALCS and World Series, he never appeared in any of those games.

Signing Max Fried Signaled The Yankees Wanted To Move On

After losing Juan Soto to the Mets, the Yankees almost immediately responded by signing former Braves ace Max Fried to an eight-year, $210 million deal. This was the largest contract ever handed out to a left-handed starting pitcher. Given that Fried, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodon are untradeable, Luis Gil won AL Rookie of the Year, and the growth Clarke Schmidt showed last season; Marcus Stroman is now expendable.

The Deck Is Stacked Against The Yankees To Trade Him

The Yankees have several things working against them when trying to trade Marcus Stroman. He’s currently being valued as a fifth starter, the 33-year-old is scheduled to make $18.5 million this season, has a history of fading after the all-star break, and his 140-inning vesting option could net him another $18.5 million. Teams don’t generally want to pay number five starters $18.5 million. While a team can try to limit his innings, pitching injuries are at an all-time high. In that scenario, Stroman might have to be moved up in the rotation. Since Stroman would be one of the only proven starting options, this would force a team to have him eat innings, and possibly cross the 140-inning threshold. New York reportedly attempted to trade Stroman to the Cardinals for Nolan Arenado in a bloated contract exchange. However, the Cardinals turned down the offer.

Spring Training Could Be The Best Bet To Trade Him

The league is experiencing an epidemic of arm injuries before and during the early part of the year. Last year, over 110 pitchers sustained injuries during Spring Training through Opening Day. Given how prevalent pitching injuries have become, teams could still be heading into the season in need of another starter. Nothing is worse than going through the regular season short a starting pitcher. The Yankees’ best bet to trade Marcus Stroman could be during Spring Training. At that point, the team could have some leverage in negotiations.

The Yankees Need To Be Patient

While there is an argument to keep Marcus Stroman, the team has decided against that and has been actively trying to trade him. Given that the trade is a salary dump, Stroman’s value has badly declined, and his history of performing poorly after the all-star break; the Yankees have no leverage in negotiations. No team wants an overpaid fifth starter on their roster. However, given the advent of injuries before the regular season, the Yankees could have an easier time finding a suitor during the spring.

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