As the New York Yankees continue fine-tuning their roster for a championship push in 2025, attention has turned to a compelling trade possibility involving veteran pitcher Marcus Stroman. Industry analysts are discussing a potential three-way deal with the Texas Rangers that would see Stroman heading to Arlington, with versatile infielder Josh Smith returning to the Bronx, accompanied by prospect Rafael Flores and financial considerations to complete the transaction.
Understanding Yankees-Rangers trade framework
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter has outlined a trade scenario that addresses the needs of both organizations. The proposed deal would help the Yankees navigate their payroll constraints while strengthening their infield, and simultaneously provide the Rangers with the experienced pitching depth they desperately seek.
- Yankees send: Marcus Stroman (RHP), Rafael Flores (C/1B prospect), and cash
- Rangers swap: Josh Smith (INF)
The centerpiece returning to New York would be Smith, a familiar face in Yankees circles. Originally selected by the Yankees in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Smith’s career path led him to Texas as part of the 2021 Joey Gallo transaction. Since his MLB debut in 2022, Smith has blossomed into an impressive talent, earning a Silver Slugger Award in 2024 and contributing significantly to the Rangers’ 2023 World Series triumph.
At 27 years old, Smith represents an appealing combination of present ability and future potential, with multiple seasons of team control remaining. His emergence as a reliable performer at third base aligns perfectly with the Yankees’ positional needs. His 2024 statistics tell the story of a well-rounded player: a .258 batting average, a .337 on-base percentage, a .394 slugging percentage, 13 home runs, and 62 RBIs, demonstrating consistent production at the plate, participating in 149 games and culminating in a solid 111 wRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus).
His left-handed bat and emerging power make him a valuable asset, especially considering his potential fit in Yankee Stadium, where his home run numbers could see a slight uptick due to favorable park factors.
Motivations behind moving Stroman
The Yankees’ eagerness to explore trade options for Stroman stems from a combination of performance concerns and financial considerations. After signing him to a two-year, $37 million contract, expectations remained largely unfulfilled. His 2024 campaign yielded mixed results: a 10-9 record with a 4.31 ERA, ultimately leading to his exclusion from the postseason roster.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Yankees’ rotation appears set with Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt, effectively marginalizing Stroman’s role. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Yankees have indicated a willingness to subsidize a portion of Stroman’s $18 million salary to facilitate a deal.
Complicating matters is Stroman’s contract structure, specifically a vesting player option for 2026 that activates if he reaches 140 innings pitched in 2025. This clause could trigger an additional $18 million salary obligation for 2026, presenting a significant financial consideration for any interested team.
Rangers’ strategic perspective
The Rangers’ interest in Stroman aligns with their need to reinforce their pitching staff following a challenging 2024 season. Despite their 2023 World Series championship, Texas struggled to maintain momentum, missing the postseason after falling short in the AL West race. Their rotation faced significant setbacks, most notably with injuries limiting stars Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle to a combined 23.1 innings.
Current rotation members Nathan Eovaldi, Kumar Rocker, Jack Leiter, and Cody Bradford would benefit from Stroman’s veteran presence and reliability. As Reuter notes, acquiring Stroman would provide valuable insurance against potential injury concerns while adding depth to their pitching arsenal.
The Rangers’ willingness to part with Smith is partially influenced by their infield configuration, as Josh Jung’s return from injury relegates Smith to a utility role in their 2025 plans.
Reshaping the Yankees’ infield
The acquisition of Smith would offer immediate solutions to the Yankees’ infield questions. With the recent addition Jazz Chisholm Jr. providing positional flexibility between second and third base, the Yankees could deploy several defensive alignments.
A potential post-trade infield configuration:
- 1B: Paul Goldschmidt
- 2B: Jazz Chisholm Jr.
- SS: Anthony Volpe
- 3B: Josh Smith
- C: Austin Wells
The presence of veterans DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera in utility roles would maintain depth while offering manager Aaron Boone various strategic options throughout the season.
Evaluating trade probability
While the proposed trade addresses mutual needs, several factors will influence its viability. The Rangers’ appetite for Stroman’s contract remains a critical consideration, particularly if significant salary relief is required from the Yankees.
Despite his established reputation, Stroman’s recent performance has seen a decline, making his contract a potential burden. Trading him would likely require the Yankees to either absorb a portion of his salary or include additional valuable prospects to make the deal palatable for the Rangers.
Rafael Flores, 24, showcased promise in the minors, splitting his time between High-A and Double-A levels. At Somerset, he posted a .274/.359/.519 slash line, hitting 15 home runs and achieving a commendable 150 wRC+. While his offensive potential is evident, Flores remains untested at the major league level, rendering him a supplementary piece rather than a centerpiece in trade discussions.
Given Smith’s ascending trajectory and value to the Rangers, the proposed package of Stroman and Flores appears insufficient. For the Yankees to present a compelling offer, they would need to enhance the deal, possibly by including a higher-tier pitching prospect such as Will Warren or Clayton Beeter. Without such additions, the Rangers are unlikely to entertain the trade, making it imperative for Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman to reassess and bolster any proposals involving key players like Josh Smith.
The Yankees continue to explore various options for moving Stroman, balancing their desire to stay under the $301 million luxury tax threshold with the need to find a partner willing to assume a meaningful portion of his contract obligations.
Potential benefits for both teams
From a strategic perspective, this trade proposal offers compelling advantages for both organizations. The Yankees would achieve multiple objectives: addressing their infield needs with a player they once drafted while simultaneously creating payroll flexibility. The Rangers would enhance their pitching depth as they pursue another championship run.
As the 2025 season approaches, this potential deal exemplifies the type of creative solution that could benefit both teams. The Yankees’ front office continues evaluating various scenarios, and this proposed trade could represent the balanced solution needed to strengthen both organizations’ competitive positions in their respective divisions.
The coming weeks will reveal whether this theoretical framework can evolve into a concrete agreement that helps both teams achieve their 2025 objectives. While obstacles remain, particularly regarding financial arrangements, the fundamental logic behind the proposal suggests a pathway forward that merits serious consideration from both front offices.
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