The Yankees Could Be Better Off Holding On To Marcus Stroman

When the Yankees signed free agent Max Fried, they had a starting pitching surplus. Nestor Cortes was traded to the Brewers as part of the Devin Williams deal. This left New York with Marcus Stroman and Clarke Schmidt. It was assumed that Stroman would be the next arm to be dealt away. He had a rough second half and didn’t pitch an inning during the postseason. However, there is $18.3 million guaranteed remaining on his current contract with a vesting option. This means moving him could be tricky but not impossible. Given how frequent pitching injuries are in today’s game, no team can have enough starting pitching. With the amount of money remaining on Stroman’s contract and injury concerns; the Yankees might be better off holding on to Marcus Stroman.

Marcus Stroman Seems To Be The Odd Man Out

The New York Yankees currently have a crowded starting rotation consisting of Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, and Marcus Stroman. One starter, Nestor Cortes was traded to the Brewers as part of the deal that brought in all-star closer Devin Williams. Given how Cole, Fried, and Rodon are unmovable, Gil just won AL Rookie of the Year honors, and Schmidt is a former first-round pick; this meant that Stroman was naturally the odd man out. However, while not impossible, trading Marcus Stroman will be difficult.

An Inconsistent 2024 Season

Marcus Stroman had an up-and-down 2024 season. Before the all-star break, Stroman was 7-4 with an ERA of 3.51. However, the 33-year-old wasn’t the same once the all-star break concluded. In nine starts after the break, Stroman would post a record of 3-4 with an ERA of 5.40. He also had a staff-low strikeout rate of 6.7 K/9 rate over 28 starts. Once Cortes returned from the injured list, the longtime starter would be moved to the bullpen in mid-September. Upon reaching the playoffs, the Yankees would leave Stroman off the ALDS roster, and despite being available to pitch in the ALCS and World Series; the two-time all-star wouldn’t appear in a postseason game.

Trading Stroman Will Be Difficult

Stroman is entering the second year of a two-year $37 million contract he signed with the Yankees last offseason. He will earn $18.3 million in 2025 and has a vesting option for the same amount in 2025. His vesting option will only trigger if he pitches in at least 140 innings this season. Trading away Stroman would be a salary dump deal leaving the Yankees with little leverage in negotiations. Any potential deal would also potentially require New York to include a prospect and/or cash as well. The only possible return the Yankees can get in return for Stroman is another bloated contract or cash.

Marcus Stroman Would Be The Perfect Swingman

Pitching injuries are a lot more common in today’s game. No team in baseball truly has enough pitching. The Yankees had their fair share last season as Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt, Tommy Kahnle, Scott Effross, Jonathan Loaisiga, Ian Hamilton, and others spent significant time on the injured list. Given his experience as a starter and reliever, Marcus Stroman could perhaps be the perfect swingman. Instead of having to rely on a nervous just-called-up starter or journeyman reliever, they could plug Stroman into one of those roles instead. This would be a great way to salvage Stroman’s contract and prevent his 2026 option from vesting. The Yankees would then be able to let Stroman be a free agent after next season.

Stroman Can Still Be Useful This Season

While the Yankees have a surplus of starting pitchers, trading away Marcus Stroman will be challenging. Given how much money he has left on his contract, trading him would be a salary dump, leaving them little leverage. This deal will most likely require the Yankees to include a prospect and/or cash. All New York could get in return is another overpaid player or cash. No team in baseball has enough pitching depth to account for injuries that may occur. The Yankees had plenty of pitchers who spent extended time on the injured list. Using Stroman as a swingman would allow the Yankees to use him as a starter or reliever when an injury happens. This is better than relying on a nervous minor leaguer or journeyman. It would also be a great way to salvage Stroman’s contract, prevent his option from vesting, and get him to free agency quickly.

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