The New York Yankees are reportedly exploring trade options for Marcus Stroman, with one potential deal involving a one-for-one swap with the Detroit Tigers for starting pitcher Kenta Maeda.
According to MLB analyst Eric Treuden of JustBaseball, this proposed trade would have the Yankees sending Stroman to the Tigers in exchange for Maeda.
Yankees acquire:
- Kenta Maeda
Tigers acquire:
- Marcus Stroman
This swap would see both teams exchanging underperforming pitchers, with both Stroman and Maeda in need of a fresh start. Maeda, 36, is in the final year of his two-year, $24 million contract with the Tigers. In 2024, he struggled, posting a 3-7 record with a 6.09 ERA across 17 starts and 29 appearances. Maeda is owed $10 million in 2025 and will be a free agent in 2026. He could either compete for a starting role or serve as a long reliever for the Yankees.
On the other side, Stroman, who signed a two-year, $37 million deal with the Yankees, could step into a key spot in the Tigers’ rotation. However, he had a mixed 2024 season, finishing with a 10-9 record and a 4.31 ERA over 29 starts and 30 appearances for New York.
Analyst’s Take on Stroman-Maeda Trade
Treuden believes this trade makes sense for both teams, as it allows the Yankees to save money while providing Detroit with a rotation upgrade.
“While acquiring Stroman wouldn’t be like signing a top-tier free agent, it’s a move worth considering,” Treuden noted. “Tarik Skubal is a solid anchor at the top of the Tigers’ rotation, but the rest of the staff is uncertain. Stroman is reliable for making his starts and brings playoff experience, which could be valuable for a Tigers team looking to contend.”
Treuden further explained, “Stroman may not be the ace he once was, but for the Tigers, he’s the type of low-risk, high-reward addition they should make in what has been a quiet offseason.”
Both the Yankees and Tigers have shown interest in trading Stroman and Maeda, making this one-for-one swap a feasible option.
Yankees Willing to Eat Some of Stroman’s Salary
The Yankees have been actively trying to trade Stroman during the offseason, and they are prepared to cover part of his $18 million salary to facilitate a move.
MLB insider Jon Heyman reported on January 9 that the Yankees are willing to pay down some of Stroman’s salary to help him find a new team. This would potentially free up money for the Yankees to focus on other needs, such as acquiring an infielder. However, major targets like Alex Bregman or Nolan Arenado are unlikely.
Stroman is a two-time MLB All-Star and was named World Baseball Classic MVP in 2017.
