Pitching wise, the Yankees haven’t had much to brag about this winter, despite efforts to improve their starting rotation this offseason. They lost the bid for Yoshinobu Yamamoto. It is believed that they are not among the finalists in the bid to sign Shota Imanga. And MLB Network’s Jon Heyman recently wrote in the New York Post that the Yankees “stay away in negotiations” with the top free agent starters Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery still on the market.
But as the Yankees’ pitching search continues, they could reach a deal with Marcus Stroman. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the two sides have a “mutual interest,” which began during a general managers’ meeting in November. This came a day after Stroman told the Yankees he was “seriously interested in signing with him, but the Yankees have declined an offer,” Nightengale wrote.
The Giants, Angels, Orioles and Red Sox have also been linked to the 32-year-old right-hander, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsend, and a reunion with the Cubs “can’t be ruled out.” MLB Network contributor John Paul Morosi mentioned the Phillies on Friday as a “very good prospect” for Stroman.
Stroman was selected to the All-Star Game for the second time in 2023 and finished the year with a 3.95 ERA in 136.2 innings, although he did not make any starts after July because of injuries to his ribs and right hip. Stroman has experience playing in New York, having pitched for the Mets from 2019 to 2021. He posted an outstanding 126 ERA+ in 238.2 appearances (44 starts) during that span.
