Chicago Cubs: could they reunite with this starting pitcher

The Chicago Cubs still have to add another starting pitcher, and could they look to reunite with this starting pitcher to fill that need?

The Chicago Cubs have been searching to add another starting pitcher all offseason long. So far, the Cubs have preferred to do so through the trade market with not even thinking of pursing any of the high-end free agents like Corbin Burnes and Max Fried who already signed. With a few interesting names on the trade block, could the Cubs look to have a reunion with the New York Yankees Marcus Stroman to fill the void?

Odd man out in New York

The New York Yankees lost out on Juan Soto this offseason when he signed with their crosstown rivals New York Mets. They got a few nice consolation prizes however with signing two-time All-Star starting pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year $218 million deal, adding both Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs and Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Marcus Stroman had a bad year in 2024 for the New York Yankees in which he made 29 starts where he went 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA, with an incredibly high 1.468 WHIP. Already the odd man out on the New York Yankees roster with them not including Stroman on their playoff roster during their World Series run last season. Since signing Max Fried it became clear that Marcus Stroman was on the outskirts with the New York Yankees.

Marcus Stroman is set to make $18.33 million for this season with a vesting option for next year worth the same amount that kicks in if he pitches 140.0 innings this year. Making that amount isn’t a lot for starting pitcher, but given the level of performance Stroman has put up so far, he hasn’t shown to be worth the investment. In a recent column in USA Today, columnist Bob Nightengale wrote about Marcus Stroman status with the New York Yankees:

“They are actively trying to deal starter Marcus Stroman and clear his $18 million salary. They have had talks with free-agent left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin and infielder Brendan Rodgers”

The former Chicago Cub

The Chicago Cubs signed Marcus Stroman to a two-year free agent deal back in December 2021. In those two seasons with the Cubs Stroman accumulated a record of 16-16, an ERA of 3.73, collected 238 strikeouts, and had a WHIP of 1.202, and was named an All-Star in 2023.

Should the Chicago Cubs trade for Marcus Stroman?

The one thing that stands out for Marcus Stroman that he’s been able to do well in his career is being one of the better groundball pitchers in the game with ranking in the 84th percentile for ground ball rate with 49.9%. Even though Stroman is a solid groundball pitcher, the Cubs need a high-end starter with strikeout stuff.

Marcus Stroman at this point in his career is a backend of the rotation starting pitcher and that’s not what the Chicago Cubs needs. As I said the Cubs need a top tier starting pitcher to pair with their lefties Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele.

With the Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo and the Minnesota Twin Pablo Lopez also being on the trade block they would be better options for the Chicago Cubs to sign. A potential deal seems on the horizon for the Cubs to make and trading for Marucs Stroman would add depth which all teams need, but at $18.33 million I would stir clear and look to other options.