The Yankees cut ties with Marcus Stroman back in August, designating him for assignment in a move that didn’t shock many people around the game.
Stroman had his moments in pinstripes, but he was mostly mediocre during his time in New York. That’s a far cry from earlier in his career when he made multiple All-Star teams and established himself as a reliable starter.
Here’s the thing about Stroman – he tends to rub people the wrong way. Some folks see him as cocky or difficult, but that’s probably just a guy who’s fiercely competitive and isn’t afraid to speak his mind.
What’s concerning is that no team has picked him up since the Yankees released him. Even if someone signs him now, he wouldn’t be eligible for the postseason.
That reality has some wondering if we’ve seen the last of Stroman in the majors. Jake Elman from FanSided recently named him as one of four ex-Yankees who might never play another MLB game.
“Of every player on this list, we acknowledge that Stroman likely has the best chance to at least earn a Minor League contract this winter, but that isn’t saying much. There likely isn’t much of a market for a 34-year-old pitcher who publicly resisted moving to the bullpen and who has a history of confronting fans. Stroman notably accused the Mets’ front office of ignoring death threats he claimed he received during his 2 ½ seasons in Queens.”
Elman makes another solid point about the timing.
“The fact that no teams even signed Stroman to a Minor League deal following his Aug. 1 release is a major red flag. Remember, the deadline for playoff eligibility wasn’t until Sept. 1, meaning teams had a whole month to bring Stroman in as depth.”
That month-long window tells you something. Teams had plenty of time to kick the tires on a veteran arm, especially with the playoff push heating up.
Look, if this is really the end for Stroman, it feels like a waste. The guy’s 34 years old with a career 3.79 ERA – those aren’t numbers that scream “finished.” Someone should be willing to take a flyer on that kind of track record.
Whether that opportunity comes remains to be seen. At least Stroman’s got over 10 years of service time under his belt, so he’s set financially regardless of what happens next.
