A Marcus Stroman Trade Could Actually Happen!

I’m REALLY happy with the Yankees winter so far. I said last month I would be indifferent if Juan Soto left, and now that he has, I am actually ecstatic about it. For the first time in a long time, I am actually really happy with the team Brian Cashman has built for us so far. There’s one thing that could take it over the top….

The Yankees are still sorting out where Jazz Chisholm Jr will play next season. It could be second base, or it could be third. Who knows, but honestly, I wouldn’t be mad at either. No matter what that the resolution looks like there, the move that would put the icing on the cake would be to trade Marcus Stroman. It’s too far-fetched when you think about it.

At this point, Stroman looks like the odd man out. The Yankees don’t need him, and he wouldn’t be a loss for us at all. The Yankees have Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon on long term deals already. They also have Clarke Schmidt and Rookie of the Year Luis Gil ready to go. I’m ready to see what Gil does next year, and I have more faith in Schmidt. Obviously, the Yankees do too because they didn’t use Stroman at all in the postseason.

So the Yankees are sniffing for a match, because honestly, we don’t need him. We have better options already and he just didn’t prove himself. The Yankees already struck out when they approached the St. Louis Cardinals, read more HERE. I understand why the Cardinals declined, they are trying to shed some payroll also, so if the Yankees aren’t willing to eat a bunch of Stroman’s money while taking on Nolan Arenado‘s contract then it just isn’t a fit. The Yankees and Cardinals both want to trade players to clear some space for their teams – so it’s time to look at other options.

That doesn’t mean that the Yankees and Cardinals stop talking about Arenado though, it just means Stroman doesn’t get that deal done. Now the Yankees just look for another trade partner that does let them part ways with Stroman. I think if the Yankees eat enough of the $18 million, he is owed this season someone will take him. His contract isn’t that bad that he can’t be moved.

I think we all know the writing is on the wall for Stroman. Could the Yankees hold onto him for more pitching depth? Sure, but at the amount of money he is owed, stashing him in the bullpen isn’t going to be preferable financially or for his skillset. I think a change is coming…. we just have to be patient for it.

Moving Stroman would be a nice finale to my holiday season though. Hopefully Santa hears me and can make it happen….fingers crossed.