The writing has been on the wall for Marcus Stroman and the New York Yankees for a while, or so it would seem.
They have five starters ahead of him, and he struggled so much in the second half that he never got into a postseason game.
Even Stroman addressed that he could be a “salary dump” on social media recently.
But not so quick, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters, including the New York Daily News’ Peter Sblendorio.
“Don’t make any assumptions on where Stro would slot for us, because he may very well be playing an important role for us, even though right now the perception might not be the case with who might be perceived to be in front of him,” Cashman said. “Let’s just see how our winter shakes out.”
Stroman signed a two-year, $37-million deal with an option for 2026 that vests if he throws at least 140 innings in 2025.
With a rotation that now includes Max Fried with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Clarke Schmidt and reigning American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil, the 33-year-old Stroman doesn’t really fit.
But Cashman knows all too well that it takes more than five starters to chase a championship. Injuries limited both Cole and Schmidt last season and Fried has a history of injuries. Also, after dealing lefty Nestor Cortes to the Milwaukee Brewers the Yankees starting pitching depth is thinner.
“He had a really good first half,” Cashman said. “The second half wasn’t as good as the first half, but he was there every step of the way for us, in any category we needed him, so he’s currently in the mix.”
Stroman, a native of New York, went 6-2 record and a 2.82 ERA through 14 starts and then it fell apart. In his final 16 appearances, he had 5.88 ERA.