As the New York Yankees look to refine their roster ahead of the 2025 season, one of the biggest talking points this offseason has been the potential trade of starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. With the Yankees’ payroll ballooning to over $300 million, the team is eager to offload Stroman’s $18 million salary for the upcoming season to avoid hefty luxury tax penalties.
While Stroman’s future with the Yankees has been uncertain ever since his omission from the ALDS roster following a relatively average season, the rumors surrounding his departure have persisted. The 2025 Yankees payroll, which sits at $284 million, is already among the highest in baseball, and unloading Stroman’s contract could be key to helping the team make further moves and balance the books.
Three Potential Landing Spots for Stroman
As speculation mounts over where Stroman might land, three teams are emerging as potential suitors for the veteran right-hander. Let’s take a look at the teams that could make a move for Stroman and how a trade could benefit both sides:
1. St. Louis Cardinals: A Rotation Upgrade
The St. Louis Cardinals, while struggling in 2024, have a roster with playoff potential if the right moves are made. Stroman’s addition could significantly improve a rotation that ranked 20th in starters’ ERA last season. Taking on Stroman’s salary could keep the Cardinals under last year’s payroll of $183 million while also allowing them to part with a declining Nolan Arenado or Brendan Donovan, should a deal materialize.
Even if Arenado is not included, Stroman would be an upgrade to a rotation in desperate need of a reliable arm. While the Cardinals don’t have many exciting infield options outside of Arenado, Stroman’s presence on the mound would be a substantial addition.
2. Cincinnati Reds: Boosting Depth with Stroman
The Cincinnati Reds, while not linked directly to Stroman, could be a potential fit. After trading Jonathan India earlier this offseason, they now have an abundance of infielders, and with Nick Lodolo as their projected fifth starter, adding Stroman to their pitching mix would solidify their rotation depth. Stroman would likely bump Nick Martinez to a swingman role, where he has flourished before.
The Reds could use Stroman to give their rotation a veteran boost, and Stroman’s experience could help their younger pitchers develop further. However, the cost of acquiring him could include more prospects, which may complicate the deal.
3. Pittsburgh Pirates: A Longshot with Big Potential
Though a longshot, the Pittsburgh Pirates could be a dark horse in the Stroman sweepstakes. With a relatively low payroll and talented pitchers like Paul Skenes and Jared Jones under team control for several years, the Pirates have room to take on Stroman’s full salary without significantly impacting their finances. Stroman would provide a much-needed upgrade over current back-end options like Bailey Falter or Johan Oviedo.
The Pirates have the flexibility to make a move for Stroman, and if they’re willing to absorb the full salary, the Yankees could potentially part with him for a low-cost prospect return. This could be a win-win for both teams, with Pittsburgh gaining a reliable veteran and the Yankees clearing salary space for future moves.
What’s Next for the Yankees? In addition to trading Stroman, the Yankees are eyeing other potential free-agent acquisitions to round out their roster. With third base remaining a key area of concern, they could look to add players like Paul DeJong or Kiké Hernández. However, waiting this long to address the position has limited their options, especially with high-profile free agents like Alex Bregman likely out of reach.
Clearing Stroman’s contract would free up much-needed financial flexibility, allowing the Yankees to make crucial moves to improve the infield and strengthen other areas of the team.
As the offseason continues, expect the Yankees to be active in exploring trade opportunities involving Stroman, with St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh all potentially in the mix. The coming weeks could see significant changes for both Stroman and the Yankees, making this one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason.
