Pitcher Marcus Stroman Continues to Miss Out on Yankees' Spring Training Activities
Stroman showed up at camp today, but he's got some issues that need sorting out. The Yankees signed Max Fried this offseason, pushing Stroman to the sidelines. He started 29 games last year with one relief appearance, and his career has primarily been spent in the rotation.
The deadline for mandatory reporting isn't until February 22, so Stroman's absence doesn't break any rules. But it's clear he's not happy about being pushed out of the starting rotation. The Yankees have been trying to trade him this offseason, but it hasn't been easy. They signed him to a two-year deal with a vesting option for 2026, and given his poor second-half performance last year and his advancing age, he's not an attractive prospect for many teams.
If the Yankees can't find a trading partner, they might be stuck with him for another year. But that could be a problem, as they're already tight on roster space. Nine of their 13 pitching spots are taken by players without minor-league options, and they have two injured players who will take up spots when they're healthy.
Stroman's insistence on starting might make it tough to find a role for him. He's been a durable pitcher, but he's also been inconsistent over the past year. If he can't improve his performance, he might not be worth the $18.5 million they're paying him in 2025. And if they cut him, they'll lose both his services and some valuable pitching depth.
The Yankees would love to move Stroman, but it's not looking likely. They could try a six-man rotation, but that's not their first choice. They could also try to convert him to a reliever, but Stroman has made it clear he's a starter at heart. The team will need to be creative to find a solution to this complicated situation.
As for other enrichment data, there are a few potential approaches the Yankees could take:
- Trading Stroman: Even with the challenges, the team could still try to trade him. But they'd likely have to pay down a significant portion of his contract and agree to limit his innings to avoid vesting his 2026 option. This might be a complicated prospect, as acquiring teams might be hesitant to take on that risk.
- Bullpen role: Stroman's refusal to pitch out of the bullpen might be a sticking point, but the team could continue to explore that option. However, given his strong stance on starting, this might require significant concessions from him.
- Contract negotiations: The team could negotiate with Stroman to restructure his deal, potentially reducing his salary or adjusting the vesting option terms. This could make him more attractive to other teams.
- Performance improvement: If Stroman can improve his performance, particularly in the second half of the season, it could increase his value and make him more tradable.
Ultimately, resolving this situation will require a combination of these strategies, as well as careful management of Stroman's role and expectations within the team. The Yankees will need to balance their desire to utilize Stroman effectively with the reality of his market value and the constraints of his contract.
The Yankees are actively trying to trade Marcus Stroman, despite the complications his contract and performance pose. His笔 manuscript insistence on starting could make finding a suitable role challenging, as a bullpen shift might not be palatable to him. Stroman had a poor second-half last year, which has lowered his attractiveness to potential trading partners.
Within the Yankees' 13-man pitching roster, nine spots are already taken by players with no minor-league options, and two injured players will claim additional spots once they recover. This tight roster space makes keeping Marcus Stroman an additional challenge.
As the Yankees explore trading options for Stroman, they'd likely have to negotiate contract terms, potentially reducing his salary or adjusting the vesting option for 2026 to make him more attractive to potential trade partners. If Stroman's performance improves, particularly in the second half of the season, it could increase his value and make him an easier sell.
Bullpen duty might be an alternative for Marcus Stroman if he can't secure a starting role. Even with his strong preference for starting, Stroman's refusal to explore this option could require significant concessions from both sides to find a mutually agreeable solution. The Yankees must strike a delicate balance between leveraging Stroman's potential and meeting his needs within the constraints of their roster, contract, and team dynamics.
