**Marcus Stroman Shifts Focus: From Rotation Battle to Season-Long Goals**
**Marcus Stroman** has shifted his narrative this spring. After initially emphasizing his desire to remain a starter and refusing to consider a bullpen role, the New York Yankees pitcher is now focusing on his ultimate goal: durability and consistency.
*“I don’t think I’m competing … at all. No,”* Stroman told reporters after a live batting practice session. *“Results don’t matter because I’m trying to throw 200 innings. This is a building point. You’ve got to do everything in your ability to get your body ready during this period. These games and these numbers don’t matter. I’m going to be someone who goes out there and hopefully can give you 30-plus starts.”*
This marks a change from Stroman’s previous stance, where he repeatedly declared, *“I am a starter,”* during a media session earlier in camp. Now, he’s emphasizing his readiness to shoulder a heavy workload rather than fighting for a rotation spot.
However, Stroman’s confidence in his role may be misplaced. The Yankees have made it no secret that they’d prefer to trade him. With the offseason addition of **Max Fried**, Stroman is now sixth on the team’s starting pitching depth chart. The Yankees attempted to move him this winter but couldn’t find a trade partner. Now, they’re likely waiting to see if injuries around the league create an opportunity to unload his $18.5 million salary for 2025 and avoid the $18.5 million vesting option for 2026.
Stroman’s 2024 season was a mixed bag. He made 30 appearances (29 starts), posting a 9-10 record with a 4.31 ERA—his highest since 2018. While he had a strong first half (3.31 ERA), he struggled down the stretch, allowing 33 earned runs in his final 49 2/3 innings. His performance led to him being squeezed out of the rotation in September and left off the playoff roster.
Reaching 200 innings—a mark he hasn’t hit since 2017—would not only demonstrate Stroman’s durability but also ensure his 2026 option vests, as he needs just 140 innings to trigger it. Whether he achieves that goal in pinstripes or elsewhere remains to be seen, but Stroman is clearly focused on proving he can still be a workhorse in the majors.
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