NEW YORK —- Jack Curry of the Yes Network on the Yankees Hot Stove Thursday evening expressed the Yankees’ sincere interest in Marcus Stroman. Moments later, Stroman revealed an instagram story of himself in full-blown Yankee pinstripes, a second photo as a kid sporting a Yankee hoodie, and a third post, “I’m a New York Yankee.”
The New York Yankees signed Marcus Stroman to a two-year, $37M contract, worth $18.5M per season. The deal includes a vesting option for year three if he pitches 140 innings in year two. The contract has a provision that if he hits 140 IP in 2025, he gains control of the third-year option and the total of the deal would become $55M over three years.
Marcus Stroman just posted these pictures on his Instagram story
(via IG/stroman) pic.twitter.com/ef39sB43g9
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) January 12, 2024
Stroman was a former New York Met and Long Island Native and grew up in Medford, New York. He began his career in Major League Baseball with Toronto in 2014 for six seasons and then was traded to the Mets at the 2019 trade deadline. Stroman wasn't pleased with the trade, because he thought he was going to the Yankees. Yankees General Manager, Brian Cashman, told reporters at the time that Stroman, "Wasn't a difference maker.”
He then played for the Mets from 2019-2021 and opted-out in the shortened season in 2020. Stroman's best season came in 2021 with a 3.02 ERA and 7.9K per nine innings. He pitched 179 innings and struck out 158 batters. The last two years 2022-2023 were with the Chicago Cubs. In nine seasons, his career ERA is 3.65 and he has never given up more than 21 home runs in a season. Stroman mainly relies on his sinker which he throws over 46% of the time. His ground ball rate was at 57% last season which is his career average. He is a ground ball pitcher, so the Yankees infield will get much play between Peraza, Volpe, Torres, and potentially Jeter Downs.
Last season, Stroman got off to a hot start with the Chicago Cubs and was named a National League All-Star. He pitched to an ERA of 2.28 in his first 16 starts and was one of the best pitchers in the league. Stroman was placed on the injured list with hip inflammation in August of 2023. He struggled in the second half of the season and finished with an ERA of 3.95 in 25 starts.
Stroman opted-out of the third year of his deal and left $21M on the table to test free agency. Essentially, he is taking a lesser deal which shows his willingness and desire to play for the Yankees and prove he can handle the big stage in New York.
2023 stats: 10-9, 136.2 IP, 119 SO, 3.95 ERA, 1.259 WHIP
Career stats: 9 seasons (2014-2023) 77-76, 1,303.2 IP, 1,091 SO, 3.65 ERA, 1.253 WHIP
In 9 seasons, Stroman’s career ERA is 3.65 and never given up more than 21 HR in a season. Should the Yankees consider signing him? pic.twitter.com/fZf7Z47BkJ
— Dugout Station (@DugoutStation) December 23, 2023
Where can Marcus Stroman fit in the rotation?
Stroman will likely slot into the third spot of the rotation behind Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón. He will be backed up by Nestor Cortes Jr. and Clarke Schmidt.
Projected rotation:
- Gerrit Cole
- Carlos Rodón
- Marcos Stroman
- Nestor Cortes Jr.
- Clarke Schmidt
Is that it for the Yankees this offseason?
The Yankees never felt they were close to closing the gap in negotiations with two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell. According to a source familiar with the situation, Mike Rodriguez, “the Yankees offer was $30M a year, 5 years deal $150M Total money. But Snell rejected because he want more money or one more year." Bob Nightengale also reported that the Yankees declined to meet the asking price for Blake Snell and pivoted to Marcus Stroman after meeting with him this week in Tampa.
Snell could be looking to top Carlos Rodón's six-year, $162M contract. With Scott Boras as his agent, he’ll drive a hard bargain. Like Rodón, durability is a concern with Snell as he has pitched 180 innings or more just twice in his eight-year MLB career and both seasons he won the Cy Young. Snell has had the lowest ERA in MLB in both of those seasons. Aaron Judge is good friends with him and Gerrit Cole has vouched for him. If the Yankees signed Snell it could put their rotation over the top.
2023 stats: 14-9, 180 IP, 234 SO, 2.25 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
Career stats: 71-55, 992.2 IP, 1,223 SO, 3.20 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
The Yankees have also been linked to interest in hard-throwing reliever Jordan Hicks, who remains in free agency. Jon Morosi reported that the Houston Astros are also in on Hicks and Jon Heyman mentioned the Philadelphia Phillies are a team to watch. Hicks lights up the radar gun with ease and has thrown the ball as fast as 105 MPH.
Hicks’ average fastball velocity is 100.7 MPH. He started his career with the St.Louis Cardinals in 2018 and was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays this past Trade Deadline. Hicks had a career-high 81 strikeouts last season. His walks are concerning with 4.9 per nine innings in his career. He would be a nasty addition to the Yankees bullpen and could be the final piece this offseason. Stay Tuned.
2023 stats: 65.2 IP, 81 SO, 12 Saves, 3.29 ERA, 1.35 WHIP
Career stats: 243.1 IP, 255 SO, 32 Saves, 3.85 ERA, 1.29 WHIP
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