The New York Yankees face a pivotal decision regarding their starting rotation as spring training progresses, with veteran baseball insider Joel Sherman suggesting the team might still consider trading Marcus Stroman despite a recent injury to promising starter Luis Gil.
The unexpected development adds another layer of intrigue to the Yankees’ preseason preparations as they aim to build on last season’s World Series appearance.
Gil’s injury creates immediate rotation gap
Gil’s lat injury has sidelined the right-hander indefinitely, with no firm timeline established for his return. The setback comes at a particularly inopportune moment, as Gil was expected to build upon his breakout 2024 campaign.
“I think Luis Gil’s really good… I don’t think last year was a lark. I think he’s a very, very talented guy,” noted the MLB analyst, who is familiar with the Yankees’ rotation plans.
The 26-year-old Gil impressed many within the organization last season, cementing himself as a potential long-term rotation piece. His absence creates an immediate depth of concern that would seemingly make Stroman more valuable to the club in the short term.
Rotation durability remains a concern
Beyond Gil’s injury, the Yankees’ rotation carries several durability questions heading into 2025. Carlos Rodón, who turns 32 this year, completed a full complement of starts in 2024 but has a history of injury concerns that makes consecutive healthy seasons far from guaranteed.
Clarke Schmidt continues to work toward establishing himself as a reliable full-season starter, while both Max Fried and Gerrit Cole have managed various physical issues in recent years. Cole, entering his age-34 season, remains the staff anchor but represents another year-to-year durability question.
This context makes the consideration of trading Stroman particularly intriguing, as it would remove one of the more durable arms from the Yankees’ pitching staff
But need for financial flexibility drives Yankees to trade Stroman
Despite the pitching staff’s current predicament, Sherman believes financial considerations could ultimately drive a potential Stroman deal.
“I still think if the Yankees found a trade that would take a good deal of his contract—even with Gil hurt—I think they would do it and feel like the difference between Stroman and Will Warren isn’t that great,” Sherman said during a recent media appearance.
The motivation appears primarily financial, as Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner has reportedly expressed reluctance to push payroll limits further. Stroman, entering the second year of his contract, represents a significant financial commitment that could be redirected toward other roster needs.
Sherman emphasized he wasn’t predicting a trade but “wouldn’t be surprised” if the front office moved in that direction.
Warren’s rise adds to rotation options
A key factor enabling potential Stroman trade discussions is the emergence of pitching prospect Will Warren. The 26-year-old right-hander has drawn attention this spring with his improved command and expanded pitching arsenal.
“He looked really sharp, and people are starting to compare him to Michael King… His sweeper and changeup look legit,” an analyst observed after Warren’s recent spring appearances.
Warren’s development potentially provides the Yankees with a cost-effective rotation alternative, though questions remain about his readiness for a full major league season. Recent reports indicate his velocity has ticked up from previous seasons, enhancing his prospect status within the organization.
Lineup balance a factor behind potential Stroman move
Another factor potentially driving a Stroman trade is the Yankees’ desire to balance their left-handed heavy lineup. By moving Stroman’s contract, the team could potentially acquire financial flexibility to pursue a right-handed bat, addressing a clear roster construction concern.
“There’s not a ton of teams with an extra right-handed good hitter… When you’re talking about free agents, you’re looking at a very short list,” industry sources noted regarding the challenge of finding suitable trade partners.
The front office appears particularly interested in adding right-handed production at third base or in the outfield, positions that have seen significant performance fluctuations over the past two seasons.
Strategic timing for potential deal
While speculation surrounds Stroman’s future, timing will likely prove crucial to any potential transaction. The Yankees may wait until later in spring training to gauge both Warren’s readiness and the recovery progress of Gil before making any definitive decisions.
If Stroman performs well in Grapefruit League action, his trade value could increase significantly. Conversely, additional rotation injuries would likely cement Stroman’s place on the Opening Day roster regardless of financial considerations.
The Yankees also continue monitoring Gil’s recovery progress, which will influence their pitching plans. Sherman noted Gil’s importance to the club’s future, stating: “If the Yankees were suddenly playing a three-game series that really mattered, I think the starters would be Cole, Fried, and Gil… I just think Gil is really good.”
Championship aspirations drive Yankees decision-making
Whatever path the Yankees choose regarding Stroman, their decision-making remains firmly rooted in championship aspirations. After reaching the World Series last season, the organization faces heightened expectations entering 2025.
The potential Stroman trade represents the delicate balance between maintaining pitching depth and addressing other roster weaknesses, particularly the need for right-handed offensive production.
As the Yankees navigate these complex roster decisions, one certainty remains—the front office continues exploring all available options to maximize the team’s championship window with a carefully calibrated approach to resource allocation.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Stroman remains in pinstripes or becomes a trade chip in the Yankees’ ongoing quest to construct a championship-caliber roster.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
