The New York Yankees are actively looking to move Marcus Stroman, one year after signing him to strengthen their rotation. According to MLB evaluators, the Yankees may need to significantly reduce Stroman’s salary to facilitate a trade.
Speaking to ESPN, one evaluator pointed to Martin Perez’s recent $5 million deal with the White Sox as a market benchmark, suggesting the Yankees may need to lower Stroman’s effective salary closer to that range. This would require New York to absorb at least $13 million of his $18 million salary for 2025, and potentially more if Stroman exercises his $18 million player option for 2026.
Yankees explore options to trade Marcus Stroman
The Yankees’ motivation to move Marcus Stroman stems from his diminished role and subpar performance. At 33, the right-hander has fallen to sixth on the team’s pitching depth chart, making him an expensive swingman expected to split time between spot starts and long relief. In 2024, Stroman posted a 4.31 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP over 154 2/3 innings, well below expectations. While he appeared during the Yankees’ postseason run to the World Series, his contributions were far from impactful.
The pressing question for potential trade partners is whether Marcus Stroman can rebound. FanGraphs valued his 2024 season at $8 million, a sharp decline from prior years when he was worth $27.7 million, $15.7 million, and $21.3 million, respectively, over a three-season stretch. Even if Stroman never recaptures his peak form, there’s reason to believe he could still provide value as a reliable innings-eater, provided his salary aligns with market expectations.
For the Yankees, moving Marcus Stroman’s contract could open opportunities to address infield needs, particularly at third or second base. However, the cost of paying down his salary to entice trade partners underscores the challenge of managing high-value contracts for underperforming players.
As the Yankees navigate this situation, Marcus Stroman’s future hinges on their ability to craft a deal that minimizes financial losses while appealing to a team willing to bet on his potential rebound. For now, what was initially seen as a key rotation addition has turned into a significant roster dilemma.
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