The Yankees are staring down a tough reality with Marcus Stroman. After a disappointing 2024 season and an $18.5 million salary attached for 2025, the veteran right-hander has become more of a financial anchor than an asset. General manager Brian Cashman is in a bind, and moving Stroman off the books will almost certainly require sacrificing a prospect to make the deal palatable for another team.
Cade Smith could be an attractive prospect for another team to consider since he’s a solid right-handed starting pitcher with good strikeout numbers.
A Decline in Performance Raises Questions
Stroman’s 2024 campaign was a far cry from the player the Yankees hoped for when they acquired him. Over 154.2 innings, Stroman posted a 4.31 ERA, his strikeouts dipped to a career-low 6.58 per nine innings, and his ground-ball rate dropped nearly nine percent. These are concerning trends, especially for a pitcher who built his career on limiting hard contact and inducing grounders.
Adding to the headache is Stroman’s looming 2026 player option, which will trigger if he pitches 140 innings in 2025. This clause makes him an even less attractive trade piece, as any team taking him on would need to carefully manage his workload to avoid being locked into another year.
Paying to Move On
The Yankees will likely need to sweeten the pot to offload Stroman’s salary. Simply put, no team is going to take on $18.5 million for a declining pitcher without some incentive. To make a trade work, the Yankees may have to include a mid-tier prospect in the deal or agree to eat a significant portion of Stroman’s salary—likely in the $6-8 million range.
This is a frustrating position for the Yankees, who are already over the luxury tax threshold at $303.2 million and need to clear space to make additional moves. Trading Stroman would free up financial flexibility, but it won’t be easy or painless.
Limited Suitors Make Things Tricky
Finding a team willing to take on Stroman is another hurdle. His declining velocity and command issues don’t inspire confidence, and his salary makes him a risky acquisition for most clubs. Any interested team would view Stroman as a back-end starter or depth piece, not a rotation cornerstone.
The Yankees’ best bet might be a rebuilding team looking to acquire a prospect in exchange for taking on Stroman. However, even in that scenario, they’d likely have to pay down a chunk of his salary to make the deal happen.
A Necessary Move for the Offseason Plan
Trading Stroman isn’t just about financial relief—it’s about unlocking the Yankees’ ability to continue improving the roster. With limited wiggle room under the luxury tax threshold, moving Stroman is essential to addressing other needs, particularly in the infield.
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The Yankees have built a win-now roster, but they need every dollar of flexibility to remain competitive. Moving on from Stroman is a necessary step, even if it comes with a cost. Cashman faces a difficult balancing act, but one thing is clear: the Yankees can’t afford to let this situation drag into the season.