As the Yankees gear up for a pivotal offseason, fans are abuzz with the question of whether the team should trade pitchers Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman. With speculation swirling around the possible acquisition of a new star, potentially Juan Soto, these two pitchers have become focal points of discussion as the Yankees look to reshape their roster for the 2025 season.
Cortes’ World Series struggles spark trade talk
Nestor Cortes had a postseason to forget, with his World Series struggles against the Dodgers taking center stage. In a crushing moment, he allowed a walk-off grand slam to Freddie Freeman—a decisive play that underscored his challenges under pressure. After the game, Cortes reflected on his performance, attributing the outcome to execution lapses. “Baseball comes down to execution,” he said.
The frustration surrounding Cortes’ role only grew in the week following the Yankees’ World Series loss, sparking fresh questions about whether he’s the right fit for a team chasing postseason consistency.
A fan shared on Reddit this week, “Cortes has great potential, but we need players who can deliver under pressure. Maybe it’s time to consider a trade if it means strengthening other areas of the team.” Another added, “Nestor’s been great for us at times, but with his postseason struggles, I’d rather see us explore other options.”
Marcus Stroman’s mixed 2024 season raises questions
Marcus Stroman’s future with the Yankees is equally uncertain. While he started the 2024 season strong, his performance waned toward the end. His absence from the postseason has left fans debating his role. “Stroman’s contract is a lot, especially if he can’t give us what we need in October,” one fan said. “If trading him opens up the budget for someone like Soto, we should do it.”
Another fan echoed the sentiment: “Stroman was solid at the start, but by the end, he wasn’t dependable. I’d rather see that money go toward a bat or a younger pitcher who can be here for the long haul.”
The Yankees’ management, led by Hal Steinbrenner, faces a tricky balancing act. With the team’s payroll already substantial, Steinbrenner has indicated a willingness to explore all options, including possibly offloading high-value contracts to make room for a star player like Juan Soto. However, this might mean covering portions of contracts for Cortes or Stroman in any deal.
“We’re so close to getting it right, but keeping players who can’t contribute in October isn’t helping us,” a fan remarked. “If trading them means bringing in someone who can help us reach the World Series, then let’s do it.”
The Yankees’ offseason decisions will have a significant impact on the 2025 roster. Fans remain divided on the futures of Cortes and Stroman, but they agree on one thing: whatever moves the team makes, the focus needs to be on bringing the Yankees closer to postseason glory.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
If you asked most Yankees fans, who would they want to trade first, I think Stroman & Rodón would be #1, & #2.