The Yankees have gone all out when Yoshinobu Yamamoto fell through, casting a wide net across the ocean to investigate a pitcher who has openly feuded with many in baseball, including their general manager.
Marcus Stroman is a seasoned alternative for the Yankees’ middle of the rotation who has also been known to trade blows with Brian Cashman; the team is at least thinking about signing him.
According to a source, Stroman isn’t the only team talking to the Yankees; nevertheless, his recent moves, including as deleting anti-Yankees posts from his Twitter account, make a signing that seemed implausible look more feasible.
For the time being, the Yankees’ rotation—which would feature an unknown in either Will Warren or Clayton Beeter at No. 5—is being filled out at rates that are too costly, whether measured in terms of money or prospects.
Cashman & Co. would prefer not to part with the substantial prоspect haul needed to acquire someone like Dylan Cease or Corbin Burnes from the White Sox or Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, respectively, from the Brewers or Jordan Montgomery.
The Yankees are considering putting the past behind them and bringing in Stroman in light of the glut of demand and shortage of supply in the market.
Their spat began at the 2019 trade deadline, when the Mets received Stroman from the Blue Jays.
After the fact, Cashman spoke with Yahoo Sports and explained that he had no interest in acquiring Stroman since the right-hander would be serving in the Yankees’ playoff bullpen and Stroman lacked the ability to impact games.
The slight Һit Stroman hard because he is 5 feet 7 inches tall and proudly displays his underdog status through his sportswear firm, HDMH (Height Doesn’t Measure Heart).
As the Yankees’ playoff run dragged on, the native Long Islander would poke fun at the team, drawing comparisons between his personal statistics and those of the Yankees’ coaching staff.
Stroman wrote after the 2020 postseason, “Besides [Gerrit] Cole, there’s no current yankee pitcher who will be anywhere in my league over the next 5-7 years.” So said the pitcher. Their pitches eventually fall flat. They ought to be winning World Series after World Series with that roster and salary, but they’re not. Lol.”
Stroman has apparently removed these tweets in an effort to present himself in the best light possible.
The Yankees would be wise to sign the 32-year-old solely for his pitching abilities.
Despite missing the 2020 season, Stroman has been a dependable option for the Blue Jays, Mets, and Cubs since 2019, has been named to the All-Star team twice, and has a 3.38 ERA in 638 1/3 innings pitched. He ranks 33rd in MLB over this span.
Even though he’s been on a downward spiral due to injuries, he’s still one of the most reliable free agents available. He has failed to reach 140 innings in each of the last two seasons. His throwing technique, which mostly involves a powerful sinker that induces a heavy dose of ground balls, is also well-suited to pitching in The Bronx.
The worries go beyond only his connection to Cashman.
Stroman is a divisive figure no matter where he goes, and he’s a fierce competitor both on and off the pitch.
Stroman later stated he “would never downgrade another race” in response to a tweet in which he “liked” the insult directed at a reporter from Italy, which was one of the public scandals surrounding the Mets.
On Twitter, Stroman claimed that the Mets’ general management “didn’t care about any of that” after he left the team for the Cubs before the 2022 season and that Mets fans slandered him.
The Mets’ bridge has already burnt, but the tweet is still up there.
Stroman seems receptive to a Yankees team he has with him ahead of what may be an odd alliance.