Marcus Stroman Yankees Future in Doubt as Trade Rumors Swirl

The New York Yankees’ spring training has been anything but quiet, with Marcus Stroman at the center of speculation regarding a potential trade. Entering the final year of his two-year, $37 million contract, the right-hander has made it clear he will not accept a bullpen role, despite the Yankees already having five established starters.

Trade Talks Heating Up

According to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, Stroman is the only Yankees player on his list of likely trade candidates this spring. The team’s $305 million payroll is above the $301 million luxury tax threshold, making a move to shed salary a possibility.

However, trading Stroman presents challenges:

• $18 million salary for 2025 – A hefty price tag for a mid-rotation starter.
• Vesting option for 2026 – If Stroman throws 140 innings this season, he gains a $18.3 million player option for 2026, potentially deterring suitors.
• Declining Performance – Stroman’s second-half struggles in 2024, including an MLB-worst 16.7% strikeout rate among pitchers with at least 150 innings, raise concerns about his effectiveness.

Yankees’ Next Steps

While Stroman ended his brief two-day absence from camp, his firm stance on remaining a starter complicates matters. The Yankees could either trade him before Opening Day or keep him in the rotation and hope for a bounce-back season to boost his value.

With Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt rounding out the Yankees’ five-man rotation behind Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodón, Stroman’s future in New York remains uncertain. If the right offer comes along, the Yankees may move on sooner rather than later.