Yankees begin Spring Training with Stroman on the mound as ex-Mets GM fuels buzz on future Bronx addition

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By this time next year, the New York Yankees may have a surprising new addition to their lineup—Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Former New York Mets general manager Steve Phillips believes the Yankees will pursue the Toronto Blue Jays first baseman in free agency next offseason, replacing Juan Soto, who signed a record-breaking $805 million contract with the Mets this winter.

Speaking on MLB Network Radio, Phillips made a bold prediction about the Yankees’ future plans.

“I think he’s going to be a Yankee. I think that (Paul) Goldschmidt will be out after the year, (Pete) Alonso won’t opt out, and Vladdy’s going to be a Yankee,” Phillips said. “They’re going to give him slightly less than Soto money, and in the end, they’ll have Vladdy and (Aaron) Judge in the middle of the lineup instead of Soto and Judge. They’ll spend less money and still be a great team moving forward—possibly the best in the American League for years.”

Guerrero Jr.’s changing stance on the Yankees

Guerrero Jr., a four-time All-Star and son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., has historically voiced strong dislike for the Yankees. In a 2022 interview with Spanish baseball writer Héctor Gómez, he didn’t mince words:

“I like to play in New York. I like to kill the Yankees. I would never sign with the Yankees, not even dead.”

A year later, he doubled down, calling it a personal issue tied to his family.

However, by 2024, his tone had softened. Speaking to Virus Deportivo (via ESPN), he acknowledged the business side of baseball:

“Sometimes one says things. It’s not that I am taking back what I said about the Yankees. But this is a business. I sat down and spoke with my dad and my family, and this is a business. I said I would never again talk about this topic.”

This shift, combined with his impending free agency, has fueled speculation that Guerrero Jr. may be more open to joining the Yankees than previously believed.

Why the Yankees could be a fit

Guerrero Jr. failed to reach an extension with Toronto before his self-imposed spring training deadline, making him one of the biggest free agents of the 2025 offseason.

With Pete Alonso re-signing with the Mets on a two-year, $54 million deal, New York’s National League team seems unlikely to pursue Guerrero Jr., leaving the Yankees as a more plausible destination.

His numbers last season reinforce why he’s such an attractive target:

• .323 batting average
• 30 home runs
• 103 RBIs
• .940 OPS (168 OPS+)

Across six MLB seasons, Guerrero Jr. has compiled a .288/.363/.500 slash line with 160 home runs and a 137 OPS+, making him one of baseball’s premier hitters.

If the Yankees decide to pursue Guerrero Jr., they could land another long-term offensive cornerstone, even if it means welcoming a former critic into the fold.

Yankees spring training: Marcus Stroman set to start opener amid trade speculation

While speculation swirls about Guerrero Jr.’s future, the Yankees are preparing for their spring training opener on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

Marcus Stroman will take the mound, though manager Aaron Boone emphasized that this decision has nothing to do with his role or trade status.

“It’s just how the live BPs and everything [worked out],” Boone said after Wednesday’s full-squad workout at Yankees camp.

Stroman has yet to throw a live batting practice session this spring but has been building up with intense bullpen work.

“His bullpens have been a lot of volume and pretty intense,” Boone added. “He’s ready to roll. The plan is for him to go one inning on Friday.”

Stroman made headlines last week after skipping the first two workouts of spring training. The Yankees have been actively exploring trade options, as the veteran right-hander is owed $18 million this season and currently sits as the sixth starter on the depth chart.

While Stroman has insisted his absence wasn’t a sign of dissatisfaction, he has been adamant about remaining a starting pitcher and refuses to pitch in the bullpen.

Two possible outcomes for Stroman

With five weeks until Opening Day, the Yankees have two potential paths for Stroman:

1. Trade him if their rotation stays healthy – The Yankees could move Stroman if another team suffers a pitching injury and becomes desperate for rotation depth.
2. Keep him as an insurance policy – If one of the Yankees’ five starters gets injured, Stroman remains a ready-made replacement in the rotation.

Either way, the Yankees benefit from keeping Stroman stretched out as a starter, ensuring they have flexibility heading into the season.

As the Yankees open spring training, all eyes will be on both Stroman’s future and the potential for Guerrero Jr. to land in the Bronx next offseason.

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