Final January, Marcus Stroman represented the Yankees’ greatest free-agent signing of the month.
This January got here and went with out the membership signing anybody to a significant league contract, and whereas a part of that’s due to a slower-moving free-agent marketplace for the areas the Yankees want to handle, it additionally may need to do with them not but discovering a group to take Stroman and not less than a few of his wage off their arms.
The precise-hander at the moment initiatives because the membership’s No. 6 starter, and whereas the Yankees are all the time making an attempt to verify they’ve sufficient pitching, Stroman’s $18 million wage is a hefty price ticket as they hover simply above the best luxurious tax threshold ($301 million) — with Cot’s Contracts estimating them to be at $302.9 million.
The Yankees nonetheless have a number of holes to fill earlier than pitchers and catchers report back to Tampa on Feb. 11 — notably a lefty reliever, an infielder to play third base or second base and maybe a backup catcher — but it surely stays to be seen whether or not they are going to be capable to discover a house for Stroman earlier than then.
And whereas it might solely take one spring coaching harm to a member of the Yankees’ rotation to thrust Stroman again into the fold, an harm elsewhere may doubtlessly open the door for a commerce accomplice rising.
The 33-year-old Stroman is coming off a season during which he posted a 4.31 ERA throughout 154 ²/₃ inning — together with a 3.15 ERA over his first 16 begins earlier than pitching to a 5.97 ERA over his closing 14 outings (13 begins), a span during which opposing batters hit .341 with a .867 OPS.
The Yankees moved Stroman to the bullpen by September earlier than leaving him off the ALDS roster. He was on each the ALCS and World Collection rosters as a reliever however didn’t seem in a sport.
As issues at the moment stand, the marketplace for Stroman seems restricted, particularly with the likes of Jack Flaherty, Nick Pivetta, Kyle Gibson, Jose Quintana, Andrew Heaney and Lance Lynn nonetheless obtainable in free company — and doubtlessly Dylan Stop through commerce.
Complicating issues is the truth that Stroman has an $18 million participant choice for 2026 that kicks in if he pitches 140 innings this 12 months.
A group with a younger rotation that wants a veteran to eat up some innings would appear to be the more than likely match for Stroman, however the Yankees could need to cowl an excellent chunk of his wage to make that occur.
A swap for an additional unhealthy contract may additionally make some sense if it helps tackle one of many Yankees’ wants.
Listed below are three potential touchdown spots:
Padres
The Padres are regarded as making an attempt to chop their payroll this offseason, however may a deal occur in the event that they used it to dump an expiring contract like Luis Arraez and his $14 million?
The Yankees doubtless must sweeten the deal by sending money and/or a prospect.
The Padres, who made a suggestion to Stroman earlier than he signed with the Yankees (per The Submit’s Jon Heyman) have a projected rotation of Stop, Michael King, Yu Darvish, Randy Vasquez and Matt Waldron.
Cardinals
Earlier this offseason, the Cardinals reportedly turned down a deal that may have landed them Stroman for third baseman Nolan Arenado and the three years and $74 million left on his contract.
However they’re nonetheless looking for a taker for Arenado, so maybe the 2 groups circle again.
Marlins
At present projected to have MLB’s lowest luxurious tax payroll of $83.9 million, the Marlins may definitely match Stroman’s wage.
Would they wish to?
They appear to be a group that wants a veteran to eat innings, with their present projected rotation led by ace Sandy Alcantara (getting back from Tommy John surgical procedure) together with Ryan Weathers, Edward Cabrera and Max Meyer.