**”Yankees Eye Pitching Prospect in Marcus Stroman Trade to Braves: Inside the Blockbuster Proposal That Could Reshape Both Teams”**
The New York Yankees are actively exploring trades for veteran starter **Marcus Stroman**, and a bold proposal from *SI.com*’s Dylan Sanders suggests a deal with the Atlanta Braves that would send the right-hander south in exchange for pitching prospect **Cade Kuehler**. Here’s how it breaks down:
**The Proposed Swap**
– **Yankees Receive**: Cade Kuehler (Braves’ No. 10 prospect), a 22-year-old righty drafted in the second round of 2023.
– **2024 Stats**: 3-6 record, 3.74 ERA across 12 starts (A/A+).
– **Scouting Report**: Deep pitch mix, mid-90s fastball, projected as a future back-end starter.
– **Braves Receive**: Marcus Stroman (final year of a 2-year, $37M deal) + cash.
– **2024 Stats**: 10-9, 4.31 ERA in 30 appearances (29 starts).
**Why It Works for New York**
– **Salary Dump**: Shedding Stroman’s $18.5M salary for 2025 frees up funds for other moves.
– **Prospect Gambit**: Kuehler adds depth to a Yankees farm system loaded with right-handed arms, though Sanders admits the fit is questionable: *“He’s solid value, but the Yankees might prefer targeting a position of need.”*
– **Future Trade Chip**: Kuehler could develop into a mid-rotation arm or serve as bait in bigger deals.
**Braves’ Motivation**
Atlanta, eyeing a playoff push, gains a seasoned fourth/fifth starter in Stroman. His elite ground-ball rate (58.4% in 2024) pairs well with the Braves’ strong infield defense—a stark contrast to the Yankees’ MLB-worst 53 double plays turned last year, which GM Brian Cashman called a key factor in Stroman’s struggles:
> *“We let him down defensively… too many missed double plays cost him.”*
**Cashman’s Cryptic Stance**
Despite praising Stroman’s performance, Cashman hinted a trade is possible before spring training:
> *“We’ll see how it plays out.”*
**The Bigger Picture**
For the Yankees, this move is less about Kuehler’s upside and more about financial flexibility. For the Braves, it’s a low-risk bet on Stroman’s veteran savvy. While not a headline-grabbing blockbuster, the deal reflects New York’s urgency to pivot from short-term fixes (*cough* Juan Soto) to sustainable roster building.
**What’s Next**
With pitchers reporting to spring training on **February 11**, the clock is ticking for Cashman to finalize Stroman’s fate. Will Atlanta bite, or will the Yankees hold out for a better return? ⚾
*Stay tuned — this could be the first domino in a wild MLB offseason.*
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