ESPN: Until the Yankees are able to release the $18 million from star’s contract, they are in a “holding pattern” on the market.
The New York Yankees have not made any major changes since their prompt response to Juan Soto’s departure. With less than a month until Spring Training, a number of free agents remain unsigned, suggesting that the market is at a standstill.
The Yankees have addressed their outfield and first base requirements, but they still have an infield void. Jazz Chisholm is now expected to return to second base, while an inside candidate like Oswaldo Cabrera or D.J. Lemahieu would handle third base.
Until Marcus Stroman’s contract expires, the Yankees are holding off on making any trades.
However, they will require yet another significant infield overhaul if they hope to return to the World Series. Additionally, Marcus Stroman’s deal as a starting pitcher is the cause of New York’s market stagnation. Joel Sherman of the New York Post claims that until the Yankees are able to release the $18 million from his contract, they are in a “holding pattern” on the market.
Sherman writes, “The Yankees are more described by agents and opposing teams as being in a holding pattern, with the sense that they want to clear as much of Marcus Stroman’s $18 million 2025 obligation as possible to free up dollars to shop elsewhere.”
Sherman went on to say that utility players like Kike Hernandez and lefty relief relievers like Tim Hill and Andrew Chafin may assist meet their demands. They will need the money in order to get a dependable lefty out of the bullpen and depth in the lineup.
This offseason, the Yankees are reducing their payroll.
Hal Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees, has made it a priority to reduce payroll this winter, and they have done just that thus far. They will have greater freedom to add significant players to the squad if they decide to terminate Stroman’s contract.
Last summer, Stroman agreed to a two-year, $37 million contract with the Yankees. Before being demoted to the bullpen in September, he spent the most of the season pitching in the rotation. During the playoffs, he didn’t participate in any games.
This winter, the Yankees made an effort to move beyond his contract by offering him a deal to sign St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. But that offer was turned down by St. Louis, and the Yankees have struggled to find a suitor ever since.
The Yankees’ plans for 2025 do not appear to include Stroman, though, and it will be interesting to see if they can find a suitor willing to take on his contract in order to assist New York.
