The New York Yankees still have several roster moves they could consider. With injuries severely impacting their starting rotation, the front office may look to add a quality pitcher to strengthen both their talent and depth.
Despite their injury-depleted rotation, the Yankees are reportedly considering trading veteran pitcher Marcus Stroman. He signed a two-year, $37 million deal and recorded a 4.31 ERA over 30 appearances in 2024. The motivation behind a potential trade seems to be financial, as the Yankees may look to offload his $18 million salary for 2025.
If they find a trade partner willing to take on a significant portion of his contract, a deal could happen. Possible landing spots include the Toronto Blue Jays, where he previously played, or the Atlanta Braves, who are looking to strengthen their pitching staff. However, the Yankees’ decision may ultimately depend on the market and the state of their rotation.
While trading a healthy starter amid injuries may seem surprising, New York appears focused on balancing its roster needs with financial flexibility as the 2025 season unfolds.
FanSided’s Rucker Haringey has predicted that the New York Yankees may trade starting pitcher Marcus Stroman before the MLB trade deadline. Despite entering the season as the Yankees’ No. 3 starter due to injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil, Stroman’s long-term role with the team remains uncertain. Haringey suggests that the Yankees might look to move Stroman mid-season, especially if he performs well enough to increase his trade value.
Marcus Stroman saw a significant change in his standing with the Yankees during spring training. Initially considered a top trade candidate, he ended up as the team’s No. 3 starter in Aaron Boone’s rotation.
Haringey attributes Stroman’s improved situation to injuries within the Yankees’ pitching staff. Gerrit Cole’s Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil’s injury created unexpected vacancies in the rotation, increasing Stroman’s importance heading into Opening Day.
According to Haringey, the Yankees’ front office, led by Brian Cashman, ideally hopes that Marcus Stroman performs well early in the season, boosting his trade value for a midseason deal in exchange for a higher-upside player. If Stroman remains on the roster by October, it could indicate that the Yankees’ pitching staff has encountered unexpected struggles.
Stroman was frequently mentioned as a trade candidate during the offseason due to his contract, but with the Yankees dealing with limited pitching depth, it seems unlikely that they would consider moving him at this point.
Once Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt return from their injuries, Marcus Stroman is expected to be the Yankees’ fifth or sixth starter, depending on Will Warren’s performance. This could further fuel trade speculation as the team evaluates its pitching depth.
The Yankees would likely only consider trading Marcus Stroman if their rotation gets healthy and they acquire another starting pitcher, such as Sandy Alcántara or Michael King, to fill the gap.
