It’s not exactly a plot twist, but the Yankees’ decision to shop Marcus Stroman around is stirring up all sorts of chaos in the baseball world.
While it’s not a shocking move, somehow, it feels monumental.
Stroman, the Bronx Bombers’ $37 million signing from just a year ago, has become an awkward fit for a team that now seems to have too much pitching.
Yes, you read that right—too much pitching.
Who knew that could even be a problem?
- Marcus Stroman’s time with the Yankees is under the microscope after a disappointing season and losing his spot in the rotation.
- The Yankees are considering trading him to the Orioles or Mets, even if it means helping out rivals, as long as the financial and roster benefits make it worth the risk.
- Any potential trade will require careful financial planning and strategic thinking, with Stroman’s future depending on how he performs and whether other teams are willing to take on his contract.
Stroman: The Fall Guy?
Stroman hasn’t been bad. But he hasn’t been good enough to justify his paycheck, either.
He tossed 154.2 innings in 2024 with a 4.31 ERA.
And while those numbers are fine, in Yankee terms, “fine” doesn’t cut it.
This is the team that signed Max Fried and Devin Williams in the same offseason, and they splashed the cash on Stroman.
When you’re surrounded by that kind of star power, “fine” might as well be “forgettable.”
By the time the playoffs rolled around, Stroman was out of sight and out of mind.
There are no October starts and no postseason redemption arc, just an expensive pitcher with no clear role in the Yankees’ plans for 2025.
So, it’s no wonder the front office is looking to move on.
The Yankees aren’t a team that dwells on sunk costs—they’re a team that spends their way out of mistakes.
But let’s not paint Stroman as some washed-up veteran hanging on by a thread.
His road ERA last season was 3.09, far better than his overall numbers.
He’s durable, too, throwing at least 136 innings in four straight seasons.
Someone will take a chance on him.
The question is who—and at what price?
Trading Within the Division? Really?
Here’s where things get messy: one of Stroman’s most likely suitors is none other than the Baltimore Orioles.
Yes, the Yankees’ AL East rival.
It’s almost unthinkable for a team to trade a pitcher to a divisional foe, but the Orioles need starting pitching, and Stroman is at least competent.
For Baltimore, who just missed out on bigger names in free agency, he might be the next best thing.
Jon Conahan of Sports Illustrated summed it up well: “Stroman wouldn’t be the perfect addition for Baltimore, but he could provide decent innings and help the team.”
It’s not exactly a glowing endorsement, but you take what you can get when your rotation is thin.
Of course, there’s the small matter of money.
The Orioles would probably want the Yankees to eat a chunk of Stroman’s $18 million salary for 2025.
If New York covers, say, $12 million, the deal might be more acceptable to both sides.
The Yankees save some cash, and the Orioles get a stopgap arm to keep them competitive.
But can you imagine the headlines if Stroman pitches a gem against the Yankees in a key September series?
The Bronx fans would riot.
And the front office would face endless questions about why they handed a serviceable pitcher to a rival.
It’s the kind of risk that could either look brilliant or backfire spectacularly.
A Cross-Town Plot Twist?
Now let’s talk about the Mets because what’s a Yankees trade drama without their cross-town rivals sticking their noses in?
The Mets, fresh off their $765 million blockbuster signing of Juan Soto, are still looking for pitching depth.
Stroman, who spent three seasons with the Mets from 2019 to 2021, might feel like a natural fit.
But here’s where it gets interesting: the Mets have their own problem child, Jeff McNeil.
The infielder had a rough 2024, batting just .238 with 12 home runs.
But he’s versatile, able to play second base, third base, and left field, and the Yankees could use someone like that.
Stroman heads back to Queens to revive his career, while McNeil gets a fresh start in the Bronx.
Sure, it’s risky for both sides, but isn’t that what makes it fun?
The Yankees would probably still have to pay some of Stroman’s salary.
But they might not care, as they need flexibility in their roster more than they need a sixth starter.
And if McNeil finds his groove in pinstripes, it’s a win-win.
The Messy Reality of Trade Value
Now for the hard truth: Marcus Stroman’s trade value isn’t great.
According to Baseball Trade Values, his surplus value is $7.4 million in the red, which means the Yankees will have to get creative to move him.
They could throw in a prospect, take back another bad contract, or eat a big chunk of his salary.
And that vesting option for 2026 is another complication.
If Stroman pitches 140 innings in 2025, he locks in an $18 million payday for 2026.
That’s a risk not every team will want to take on.
A Cast of Unlikely Suitors
If the Orioles and Mets aren’t bold enough to make a deal, other teams are lurking in the background.
The Detroit Tigers need pitching depth, and their spacious Comerica Park could be a good fit for Stroman’s ground-ball style.
The Giants, always a wild card, might take a chance if the Yankees throw in a prospect.
Even the Cubs could get involved, especially if they see Stroman as a way to bolster their rotation without breaking the bank.
And then there’s the Padres, who might dangle Luis Arraez in a trade.
Arraez, a batting champion with on-base skills the Yankees desperately need, would be a dream acquisition for New York.
But would San Diego really take on Stroman’s contract?
Honestly, it feels like a stretch, but stranger things have happened.
What This Means for the Yankees
The Yankees have one thing on their mind: winning the World Series, and that’s it.
Everything they do, every check they write, every trade they ponder—is all to win that shiny championship ring.
So when it comes to Marcus Stroman, this isn’t about whether he’s a good guy to have in the locker room or even a halfway decent arm on the mound.
This is about dollars, strategy, and making the roster just a little bit better.
And the Yankees aren’t exactly sitting still this offseason.
They’ve already made some jaw-dropping moves—snagging Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Max Fried.
And they’re stocking up on firepower for another serious title run.
But their infield is still a bit of a mess.
You can throw all the star outfielders and ace pitchers you want into the mix, but if your second and third bases look like they’re held together with duct tape, you’re not winning it all.
Trading Stroman isn’t anything to do with who he is now or who he was when he earned those two All-Star nods.
At the end of the day, the Yankees need to clear space—whether that’s cap room for a better infielder or a direct swap for someone who can plug one of those glaring infield holes.
And for the Yankees, it’s a no-brainer.
As for Stroman?
His time in pinstripes seems all but over.
Maybe moving to a new team will spark a revival, and he’ll remind everyone why he was so highly touted to begin with.
Or perhaps he’ll keep being what he was for the Yankees this past season: fine, but far from the kind of difference-maker they need.
But it’s never just about one trade or one player.
Baseball is messy and unpredictable, and half the time, you’re just trying to keep the plates spinning while making the right bets.
So, Stroman is just one chip in a much bigger game for the Yankees.
They’re not playing for now; they’re playing for the long haul.
And love it or hate it, that’s the kind of ruthlessness that wins championships—or at least keeps you in the fight.