The New York Yankees may need to address their payroll situation depending on their plans for the remainder of the offseason. While the team has already made significant moves to improve their roster, there’s still time to add more talent. However, the Yankees are once again projected to have one of the most expensive rosters in Major League Baseball next season. Any additional acquisitions, especially through trades, could further escalate their payroll.
One area of focus for the Yankees is likely to be at second or third base, but making these additions might require cutting salary elsewhere. Among the possible trade candidates is right-hander Marcus Stroman, who did not pitch for the Yankees during the postseason, raising questions about the team’s confidence in him.
Alexander Wilson of Empire Sports Media suggests that Stroman is the “most logical” player to trade due to his remaining contract. He is set to earn $18.5 million in 2025 as part of his two-year, $37 million deal. Additionally, a player option for 2026 could activate if Stroman pitches over 140 innings in 2025, further complicating his value.
Wilson notes that trading Stroman would provide significant payroll relief and allow the Yankees to address other needs. However, finding a trade partner willing to absorb his salary could be challenging. Teams in need of rotational depth might show interest, but the Yankees may need to include a prospect or accept a smaller contract in return to finalize a deal.
