The New York Yankees have been actively reshaping their roster after Juan Soto’s surprising offseason decision, which set off a flurry of winter moves. Falling short in their bid to land the $765 million superstar, the Yankees redirected their attention to enhancing run prevention.
Their first major move was an aggressive pursuit of left-hander Max Fried, culminating in a historic $218 million contract. Shortly after, they struck another significant deal, acquiring All-Star closer Devin Williams in a blockbuster trade to strengthen their bullpen.
However, the Yankees are reportedly looking to make additional adjustments, with Joel Sherman of The New York Post reporting the team is interested in moving Marcus Stroman. The veteran right-hander is owed $18 million in 2025, with a potential additional $18.5 million in 2026 if he surpasses 140 innings next season.
Stroman was one of the Yankees’ key acquisitions last offseason, signing a two-year, $37 million deal with a vesting option for a third year. His tenure began promisingly, as he posted a stellar 2.82 ERA over his first 14 starts in 2024. Unfortunately, his performance declined sharply in the second half, with a 5.88 ERA over his final 16 starts. During this stretch, opponents hit .328 against him, and his strikeout rate plummeted to a league-low 16.1%.
Moving Stroman could be challenging given his inconsistent performance and hefty contract. However, with a strong starting rotation already in place, the Yankees view him as an expendable piece as they continue to refine their roster for 2025.