The New York Yankees reportedly attempted to trade starting pitcher Marcus Stroman throughout most of the offseason. However, after injuries to Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil, Stroman was removed from the trade block and inserted into the starting rotation.
Despite this, his future in the Bronx remains uncertain. FanSided’s Rucker Haringey recently predicted that the Yankees would part ways with Stroman at the end of the season, even if he pitches 140 innings and his 2026 vesting option is triggered.
“Marcus Stroman would not have started the season with the Yankees had it not been for the injuries to Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil,” Haringey wrote.
“The team had intended to trade him but decided to keep him as a reliable option to eat innings in the rotation. The vesting option in Stroman’s contract for the 2026 season adds complexity to the situation for the veteran pitcher.”
Haringey continued, “Stroman could pitch well enough to reach the innings required for the option to kick in, but that could make his salary difficult for the Yankees to move in a trade. The most likely scenario is that Stroman plays a key role early in the season, but as his performance declines, superior options will take his place.”
It seems highly unlikely that Stroman will remain with the Yankees for another year. With several top prospects on the cusp of reaching the majors, Will Warren is the only one who seems ready for the challenge. Considering the Yankees’ ability to utilize the trade market, their prospects, and next offseason’s free-agent pool, it’s almost certain that Stroman won’t be part of the team in 2026 and beyond.
