The New York Yankees have completed a long-anticipated trade, moving Marcus Stroman to a rival team. The move comes after weeks of speculation about how the Yankees would offload Stroman’s $18.5 million salary for 2025.
The decision to part ways with the veteran pitcher was driven by the Yankees’ desire to free up payroll flexibility, which could be used to address other areas of their roster, including their lackluster internal options at third base. However, moving Stroman wasn’t as easy as simply flipping a switch, and the Yankees had to get creative to make the deal work.
After evaluating several potential trade partners, the Yankees struck a deal with the San Diego Padres. In exchange for Stroman, the Yankees received Luis Arraez, who is set to make $14 million in 2025. To help balance the trade, the Yankees also included a mid-tier prospect, making it a financially and strategically beneficial deal for both teams.
While the Padres were looking to trim payroll, they also gain a solid pitcher in Stroman, whose short-term contract can help them address their pitching needs without committing to a long-term deal.
The trade has raised some questions, particularly surrounding Arraez’s defensive abilities. The Yankees have been focused on improving their defense and run prevention this offseason, and Arraez’s struggles in the field might not align perfectly with that strategy. However, with Stroman’s contract off the books, the Yankees are now in a better position to explore other roster options, including adding an infielder, especially at third base, where their current roster has been lacking.
There were also rumors of other potential destinations for Stroman, including the St. Louis Cardinals, who have been trying to offload Nolan Arenado’s large contract. The Yankees were reportedly open to discussing a deal for Arenado, especially if the Cardinals were willing to absorb some of Stroman’s salary. Another possibility was the Miami Marlins, who have been hesitant to spend this offseason but might have been enticed by the inclusion of a strong prospect along with Stroman. However, the Padres deal ultimately provided the most immediate financial relief for the Yankees.
With the Stroman trade now finalized, the Yankees are looking ahead to the next phase of their offseason plans. This deal gives them the financial flexibility to continue tweaking their roster, and it could pave the way for more moves in the coming weeks as they aim to strengthen their lineup and pitching staff for the 2025 season.
