New York Yankees always aim high in their pursuit of championships. However, their current offseason includes a big problem tied to pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Because of his $18 million vesting option for 2026, trading him has become a serious challenge.
This vesting option activates if Stroman pitches 140 innings in the 2025 season.
So, any team trading for him must accept the possibility of paying him $18M for another year.
Clearly, this financial risk has scared off potential trade partners.
- Marcus Stroman’s $18M vesting option for 2026 complicates the Yankees’ efforts to trade him.
- The Yankees are balancing salary management with roster improvement, exploring options like Luis Arráez to fill infield gaps.
- With a strong rotation and aggressive offseason moves, the Yankees are poised for 2025 success, but financial hurdles loom.
Why Stroman’s Contract Is So Complicated
When you look closer, the complication surrounding Marcus Stroman’s contract isn’t solely about his $18.3M salary for 2025.
The bigger issue is his vesting option, which makes it harder to predict the total cost of keeping him.
If he pitches well enough to reach the 140-inning mark in 2025, the next team could be stuck with him in 2026.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a problem if Stroman were an elite pitcher.
But his 2024 numbers—10 wins, 9 losses, and a 4.31 ERA over 154.2 innings—make him solid, not spectacular.
Still, Stroman’s reliability adds some value, though not enough to outweigh the risks of his contract.
Balancing Payroll and Ambition
Right now, the Yankees are working hard to improve their team while keeping their budget in check.
They’ve made some big moves, including signing lefty Max Fried and slugger Paul Goldschmidt.
They also traded for closer Devin Williams and outfielder Cody Bellinger and re-signed ace Gerrit Cole, one of the highest-paid MLB players.
But even with these upgrades, their infield has a noticeable gap after losing Gleyber Torres.
So, the Yankees are considering several options, including free agent Jorge Polanco.
Polanco, who previously signed a five-year, $25.7M deal with the Seattle Mariners, could be a good fit.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are also linked to Luis Arráez, a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger.
Arráez’s impressive career numbers—a .323 batting average and a .372 on-base percentage—make him an ideal addition.
With his ability to set up opportunities for Aaron Judge, Arráez would bring balance to their lineup.
The Marcus Stroman-Luis Arráez Trade Rumor
To solve both teams’ needs, some rumors suggest a trade between the Yankees and Padres involving Stroman and Arráez.
For the Yankees, they would get a consistent hitter to strengthen their infield.
For the Padres, Stroman could help fix their pitching rotation, which badly needs more depth.
That being said, the Padres might prefer younger prospects in the deal instead of just Stroman.
One name mentioned is Will Warren, the Yankees’ seventh-ranked prospect.
Although Warren struggled in his brief MLB stint—posting a 10.32 ERA in five starts—his upside could make him appealing to San Diego.
The Yankees’ Case for Keeping Stroman
If a trade doesn’t materialize, the Yankees could consider keeping Stroman for depth.
Injuries are an inevitable part of a long season, and Stroman’s durability could prove valuable.
While his 2024 ERA of 4.31 wasn’t elite, he still managed 154.2 innings.
With a rotation featuring Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Max Fried, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt, Stroman might not seem essential.
Nonetheless, having a seasoned pitcher as insurance could pay dividends if injuries strike or younger arms falter.
Another option for the Yankees is to allow Stroman to rebuild his value during the first half of the 2025 season.
If he performs well, they could explore trading him at the deadline, when teams desperate for pitching depth might be more willing to overlook his contract complications.
Yankees’ Ambitions for 2025
The Yankees are under a lot of pressure after losing the 2024 World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Their 94-68 record and AL Pennant win were great, but falling short has only raised expectations.
Their aggressive offseason moves show they’re focused on winning in 2025.
If they can trade Stroman, it could give them the financial space to make one more important move.
Whether that move is for Luis Arráez or someone else, it could be the final piece to help them win the World Series.
What Will the Yankees Do?
The Yankees’ dilemma with Marcus Stroman is a microcosm of the challenges faced by a team that must balance win-now ambitions with long-term planning.
Trading him could solve some financial problems and allow them to strengthen their infield.
But keeping him might also work if injuries hit or if they need a trade piece later in the season.
What do you think?
Should the Yankees trade Stroman, or is it smarter to hold onto him?
