After months of trade rumors swirling around Marcus Stroman, the veteran right-hander was present with the rest of the New York Yankees pitchers on the first day of spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
While Yankees manager Aaron Boone emphasized that the team is focused on preparing Stroman for the upcoming season, the organization remains open to trading him and his $18.5 million salary before Opening Day. The Yankees anticipated having more leverage in trade discussions once teams evaluated their pitching needs during spring training, and that strategy may already be paying off. The Detroit Tigers, for example, recently revealed that starter Alex Cobb will miss at least the first month of the season due to a hip injury, potentially increasing their interest in acquiring a pitcher like Stroman.
The Tigers are just one of several teams in need of starting pitching. The Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, and Miami Marlins are also among the clubs looking to bolster their rotations. As more injuries emerge across the league, the list of potential suitors for Stroman is likely to grow. Stroman, who signed a two-year, $37 million deal with the Yankees last offseason, made 30 appearances (29 starts) in 2024, finishing with a 9-10 record and a 4.31 ERA—his highest since 2018 with the Toronto Blue Jays. While he had a solid first half, posting a 3.31 ERA, his performance declined sharply in his final 11 outings, where he allowed 33 earned runs in 49⅔ innings. Stroman was notably absent from the Yankees’ playoff roster during their World Series run, and his stark home-road splits (5.31 ERA at home vs. 3.09 ERA on the road) could make him an intriguing trade candidate for teams seeking a reliable arm.
Boone acknowledged the unusual circumstances surrounding Stroman’s situation but stressed that the team is handling it professionally. “The situation is what it is,” Boone said. “We have a lot of guys who you would expect to be starting pitchers in the big leagues, Marcus being one of those. … The cream rises to the top, and I feel like it’ll work itself out. But right now, it’s about getting him ready to go and be a real contributor.” As the Yankees weigh their options, Stroman’s performance this spring could determine whether he remains in pinstripes or becomes a key addition to another team’s rotation.
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