Right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman and the Yankees agree on a two-year, $37 million contract that includes a vesting player option, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal was agreed upon during the late night hours on Thursday, January 11th.
The Yankees starting rotation needs assistance after an unfortunate season that led to Luis Severino not being offered a contract, instead signing a one-year deal with the New York Mets. Then, the Yankees gave up Michael King to the San Diego Padres during a blockbuster trade that brought Juan Soto to the Bronx. The Yankees seem confident that two-time All-Star Marcus Stroman can contribute positively.
Stroman most recently enjoyed his second All-Star Week during the 2023 season after posting a 2.96 ERA with the Chicago Cubs in the first half of the season. The second half of the season was filled with turmoil, though, as Stroman only made six starts after suffering hip and rib injuries. Stroman allowed 23 earned runs over 24 innings pitched over the second half of the season, finishing the campaign with an ERA of 3.95
The Yankees now have a rotation that includes recent American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, a questionable Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes, who is returning from an injury-riddled 2023 season, and Clarke Schmidt, who posted a 4.64 ERA over 159 innings pitched.
Stroman has been unable to reach the 140-inning mark over the last two seasons, totaling 138.2 in 2022 and 136.2 in 2023. But, a third-year option for $18 million would vest if Stroman reaches 140 innings pitched in 2025, per Jeff Passan.
Joining his fourth team in six seasons, Stroman has the second-highest ground ball rate (56.7%) among pitchers with at least 1,000 innings pitched since 2014. He heavily relies on his sinker, which may fare well at a stadium that’s famous for it’s “Short Porch”.
Stroman is a Long Island native and reportedly wanted to be traded to the Yankees in 2019, but this did not come to pass, with him being sent to the New York Mets instead. Drama ensued, as Stroman reportedly threw a tantrum in the Toronto Blue Jays clubhouse upon hearing the news. Yankees GM Brian Cashman was then asked by reporters why he decided not to land Stroman and was quoted as saying that the right-hander “wouldn’t be a difference maker.” Since that statement, Stroman has been seen criticizing the Yankees organization and feuding with fans through his Twitter/X account.
However, prior to Stroman being signed by the Yankees on Thursday, fans noticed that he had deleted nearly all of his anti-Yankee posts. Stroman has since added the photos below to his Instagram story, seemingly embracing the Yankees pinstripes.
What’s Next for the Yankees?
With questionable pieces in their starting rotation, the Yankees have made the first move in free agency in an effort to return to being a postseason-bound ball club. Other options are still on the board, with names like Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Dylan Cease, Jesus Luzardo, and Shane Bieber being rumored targets.
Earlier in the day, the Yankees bid on Blake Snell, but there was a “big gap,” as reported by Jon Heyman of the NY Post.
The Yankees appear to be ready to spend big, as they offered $300 million to Yoshinobu Yamamoto in December but lost out on the Japanese pitcher to the Los Angeles Dodgers in December. With the latest Marcus Stroman deal being viewed as an “economical” option, the Yankees still have room to make another big splash to their starting rotation or bullpen before the end of the offseason.
If the Yankees do opt to consider Stroman as their last significant signing of the offseason, it will be interesting to see how they approach the trade deadline. The one-year rental of Juan Soto looms large as the championship window Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole have opened during their prime draws closer to an end.
