The Yankees continue their efforts to move Marcus Stroman and his $37 million contract, despite social media speculation suggesting an imminent deal.
Stroman’s recent unfollowing of the Yankees on social media, coupled with former Yankee Cameron Maybin hinting at upcoming news, sparked trade rumors. But Jon Heyman of The New York Post confirms there’s no deal in sight.
“Folks made something out of Marcus Stroman unfollowing the Yankees on social media. But as of now, they still hadn’t found a trade for him,” Heyman writes.
It’s not hard to see why the Yankees want to move on. Stroman’s 2024 season tells the story – a strong first half gave way to significant struggles down the stretch. The numbers paint a concerning picture: among pitchers with 150+ innings, his 16.7% strikeout rate tied for MLB’s worst. His 8.9% walk rate wasn’t much better, ranking among the highest in baseball.
The financial motivation is clear. Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner are pushing to get under the $301 million luxury tax threshold. Stroman’s contract isn’t helping – especially with that vesting option looming. If he reaches 140 innings in 2025, he can trigger an $18.3 million player option for 2026.
The Yankees’ challenge is finding a team willing to take on that contract risk. While Stroman’s early-2024 performance showed flashes of his potential, his second-half decline raises legitimate questions about his future effectiveness.
For now, it seems the Yankees will need to keep looking – or possibly get creative with how much of Stroman’s salary they’re willing to eat in any potential deal.
