Not every free-agent signing in MLB goes as planned, and it seems the New York Yankees are ready to cut their losses on one from last winter.
Two-time All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman, who joined the Yankees on a two-year, $37 million deal with a vesting option for 2026, had a strong start to the season but lost his spot in the rotation by the playoffs. With the emergence of a healthy Clarke Schmidt and the addition of Max Fried, Stroman is now viewed as the Yankees’ sixth starter heading into the preseason. Trading him to a team where he could play a bigger role might be the best move for New York.
But would the Yankees deal Stroman to their AL East rivals, the Baltimore Orioles?
Jon Conahan of Sports Illustrated suggested the Orioles could be a good fit, provided the New York Yankees\ cover part of Stroman’s contract.
“Stroman wouldn’t be a perfect addition for Baltimore,” Conahan wrote. “However, if the Orioles need a reliable arm to eat innings, Stroman could fill that role. The trade could make sense depending on how much money the Yankees send in the deal.”
At 34 years old, Stroman isn’t an ace but remains a serviceable option. He posted a 4.31 ERA across 31 appearances last season, with a career-low 6.6 strikeouts per nine innings. Still, he’s logged at least 136 innings in each of the past four seasons, proving his durability.
If the Yankees can save around $12 million of the $19 million owed to Stroman and reallocate those funds to improve their roster, it might be worth the gamble—even if it means facing Stroman in Orioles colors later this season. For New York, it’s all about the long game.
