Marcus Stroman has shifted his stance. After the controversy surrounding his arrival at Yankees spring training and his firm stance against moving to the bullpen, he is no longer just emphasizing his role but also his ultimate goal.
When asked if he was competing for a spot, Stroman was blunt: “I don’t think I’m competing … at all. No.”
Following a live batting practice session, he explained his mindset: “Results don’t matter because I’m trying to throw 200 innings. This is a building period. You have to do everything possible to get your body ready. These games and numbers don’t matter. I want to be someone who goes out there and gives 30-plus starts.”
Earlier in spring training, Stroman repeatedly reinforced his identity as a starter, declaring “I am a starter” 11 times in a 10-minute media session. Now, instead of competing for a rotation spot, he seems to be showcasing himself for another team.
It’s no secret that the Yankees are looking to trade Stroman. With the offseason addition of Max Fried, the team views him as the sixth option in the starting rotation. They attempted to move him during the winter but found no takers. Now, they’re waiting to see if injuries elsewhere create a trade opportunity, hoping to shed his $18.5 million salary for 2025 and avoid the $18.5 million vesting option for 2026.
Stroman signed a two-year, $37 million deal last offseason but was pushed out of the rotation in September after a difficult second half. He didn’t pitch in the playoffs. In 2024, he made 30 appearances (29 starts) for the Yankees, posting a 9-10 record with a 4.31 ERA—his highest since 2018. After a strong first half with a 3.31 ERA, his performance dipped in his final 11 outings, where he surrendered 33 earned runs over 49 2/3 innings.
His goal of reaching 200 innings would be a milestone he hasn’t hit since 2017 when he was 26 years old. He’s only accomplished it twice in his career (2016 and 2017). However, reaching that mark would also far exceed the 140 innings he needs to trigger his $18.5 million vesting option for 2026, making his performance this season crucial not just for his immediate future but also for his next contract.
