The New York Yankees are widely regarded as having one of the top pitching rotations in baseball. Leading the group is Gerrit Cole, the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner, followed by recent high-profile free agent additions Max Fried and Carlos Rodon. Complementing these star players are homegrown talents like Clarke Schmidt and 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil. With this impressive lineup, it’s hard to argue that any other rotation surpasses New York’s.
However, Marcus Stroman finds himself in a tough spot. When reporters asked about the possibility of transitioning to the bullpen, Stroman quickly made his stance clear. “I’m a starter. I won’t pitch in the bullpen. I’m a starter,” he declared firmly.
Since his debut in 2014, Stroman has been one of the most reliable pitchers in the league, ranking 17th in innings pitched during that time. He pointed to his durability as a reason why he deserves to remain in the rotation, emphasizing his consistency in making 30+ starts year after year. “Go look at the numbers. How many people can stay healthy and do it 30+ starts year after year?” Stroman stated, reminding reporters that he had defied expectations about his ability to handle a heavy workload, especially considering his size.
While Stroman has one year left on his contract with the Yankees, which he signed last offseason, he also has a vesting option for 2026 if he reaches 140 innings pitched in 2025. With the season fast approaching, it seems likely that the Yankees may consider trading Stroman. According to The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty, the team “prefers to trade starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and a portion of the $18 million he’s owed this season.”
