Are The Yanks Trying To Shed Stroman Or Are Us Fans Trying To?

Picture this: two dudes, Ryan Garcia and Alex Wilson, kicking off the 2025 season with their first “Fireside Yankees” podcast. They’re talking shop, spit balling ideas, and throwing out some bold trade scenarios. It’s not gospel, but it’s an interesting thought experiment—one that has Yankees fans tipping their caps.

Here’s the gist: The Yankees might want to move on from 33-year-old Marcus Stroman, who signed a two-year, $37 million deal before the 2024 season. In my opinion, having Stroman on the Yankees didn’t work out.  Stroman struggled down the stretch, didn’t make the postseason roster, and now his contract feels more like an albatross than an ace.

The guys at “Fireside Yankees” floated an intriguing possibility: Could the Yankees unload Stroman’s salary on the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for their 27-year-old super-utility man, Brendan Donovan?

Why Donovan Makes Sense for the Yankees

Donovan, a 2022 National League Gold Glove winner for utility players, has played everywhere except pitcher and catcher. He’s got versatility, a career .280 batting average, and a .364 on-base percentage that could make him a great fit in the Bronx. Over three seasons, Donovan’s also posted a .771 OPS and smacked 30 home runs in 374 games. That kind of reliability and flexibility screams “Cashman player.”

But What About Stroman?

The Cardinals might balk at taking on Stroman’s remaining $18.5 million for 2025 unless the Yankees sweeten the deal. Maybe New York eats some salary, or maybe they throw in a prospect to even things out. Spencer Jones, anyone? Yes, this is actually being talked about.  Though let’s be real—this part feels like a stretch. No way Cashman includes a high-upside outfielder like Jones just to make this happen, right?

So, have the Yankees and Cardinals actually talked about this? No confirmation, at least not yet. But the Yankees’ desire to move on from Stroman feels legit, and Brendan Donovan is exactly the kind of player the Yankees love—versatile, consistent, and affordable.

For now, it’s all speculation, just two guys riffing on a podcast. Still, the idea has legs. If Brian Cashman can get creative, maybe there’s a way to turn Stroman’s sour stint into a fresh start with a player like Donovan.

Until then, we’ll just have to see how this unfolds. Tip your cap to Fireside Yankees for the idea, even if it’s still just a conversation.

Stay tuned.