ESPN: Yankees Cut Ties With Talented $18 Million Starter
A number of the New York Yankees’ free agents may not be back with the organization in 2025. In 2025, they might also trade Marcus Stroman, a right-hander, and other players who have contracts.
During the postseason, Stroman was given the short end of the stick. He wasn’t particularly good during the season, but there were occasions when he could have been useful in the postseason. The Yankees chose to use other roster choices instead. The Yankees might have some leeway if they dealt him because he is expected to earn $18.3 million in the upcoming season.
Empire Sports Media’s Alexander Wilson suggested that Stroman be moved to assist the Yankees in identifying improvements in other areas.
Even if it means attaching another desirable asset, selling Stroman may be advantageous given his downturn and contract predicament. Wilson wrote on November 16 that the money may be used for more beneficial purposes, like filling a need at first base or bolstering the rotation with a more dependable starter. “Christian Walker, an outstanding defensive first baseman with potent offensive abilities, could be pursued by the Yankees with those funds, for instance.”
Stroman is expected to be traded by the Yankees.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to trade Stroman because the New York Yankees could be able to free up some cash. At the very least, $18.3 million is a lot to spend on a middle-of-the-pack starter in their rotation, even though pitching frequently wins games and he might be useful to them during the regular season.
FanSided’s Zachary Rotman highlighted the Yankees’ current rotation and predicted that they will move him this winter.
On November 16, Rotman wrote, “The first four players on this list are free agents, but Marcus Stroman is under contract and will earn $18.3 million in 2025. He was signed before the 2024 season with the hope that he would be a reliable mid-rotation arm, but it just didn’t work out.” The right-hander pitched 154.2 innings with a 4.31 ERA in 30 regular season appearances (29 starts).
Stroman wasn’t even as good as his ERA would suggest, despite the fact that he was able to eat up a good number of innings. The Yankees have Gerrit Cole at the top of their 2025 rotation now that he has formally returned, followed by Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, and Nestor Cortes. If the season started today, Stroman probably wouldn’t even be in the rotation to start the year. The Yankees should try to let go of Stroman before letting go of any other starter, but a trade might make a difference.
What Could the Yankees Get for $18 Million?
Even if $18 million in 2025 isn’t much, it’s still a respectable sum of money to be able to spend on Juan Soto, who the New York Yankees need to re-sign.
Other than that, Christian Walker or another first base option could be signed by the Yankees. It would be almost his pay for the upcoming season, since Walker is expected to earn $20 million or more AAV.
They can still get better in other areas, but it appears that first base is the main issue. If they were able to acquire a top player at the position for $18 million, it would be simple to move Stroman.
