The upcoming spring training brings uncertainty surrounding Marcus Stroman’s future with the New York Yankees. Given the team’s rotation and his lackluster performance in the 2024 season, as a right-hander with an $18.5 million salary for the 2025 season, that stands as a challenge on the trading block. General Manager Brian Cashman has acknowledged that the Yankees failed to show Stroman in his light last season, which contributed to his struggles on the mound.

Stroman’s initial year in New York didn’t pan out as expected. After inking a two-year $37 million deal, he wrapped up with a 4.31 ERA across 154.2 innings—falling short of his All-Star-worthy displays. While injuries and midseason fatigue contributed, the Yankees’ defensive issues compounded his struggles. As a contact pitcher who relies on ground-ball outs rather than strikeouts, Stroman was frequently hurt by defensive lapses, which led to longer innings and inflated numbers. His home-road splits further highlighted the problem, as he fared significantly better away from Yankee Stadium, where poor defensive execution and the short right-field porch often worked against him.

Brian Cashman assessment: was Stroman set up to struggle?

In a recent Yankees Hot Stove YouTube video posted by Yes Network Brian Cashman pointed at Stroman and the Yankees’ poor defense as an issue. “He’s not a strikeout guy, he’s a contact guy,” Cashman said. “Way too many times, we were giving extra outs, forcing him to pitch an inning with four or five outs rather than three. Ultimately, a big inning would show up that would wind up on his ledger.”

Trade speculation has surrounded Stroman all offseason, but moving him remains complicated. His contract includes a player option for 2026 that activates if he exceeds 140 innings this season, making teams hesitant to take on his deal without the Yankees covering part of the salary or attaching a prospect to sweeten the return.

While Stroman remains on the roster, the Yankees appear open to trading him if the right deal emerges. If a trade doesn’t materialize, his role could depend on spring training injuries or performance shifts within the rotation.

Potential trade destinations for Marcus Stroman

Several teams could be interested in Marcus Stroman, especially those in need of reliable rotation depth. The San Francisco Giants stand out as a potential landing spot, given their need for veteran pitching behind Logan Webb and Keaton Winn. The Giants have been linked to rotation upgrades all offseason, and Stroman’s ability to generate ground balls could work well in Oracle Park. Similarly, the Baltimore Orioles might explore a deal as they continue searching for experienced starters to complement their young core. Their spacious Camden Yards dimensions could help mitigate some of Stroman’s home run issues, and he’d provide valuable innings for a team with championship aspirations.

The St. Louis Cardinals could also be a fit, even after adding pitching this offseason. With some question marks in their rotation depth, acquiring Stroman at a lower cost could make sense. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox have been linked to mid-rotation arms after missing out on top-tier options. If the Yankees are open to dealing within the AL East, Stroman could slot in as a much-needed innings eater for a Boston staff that still lacks depth. The Cincinnati Reds, who have an emerging young rotation but lack veteran stability, could also be a sneaky fit if they believe he can provide leadership and consistency.

While Stroman’s contract and recent struggles complicate a move, several teams could benefit from his experience and ground-ball-heavy approach. Whether he stays as rotation depth or gets traded, his situation will be one of the Yankees’ biggest storylines heading into the season.