MLB Rumors: Cubs FA Marcus Stroman, Yankees Have Mutual Interest as NY Seeks Pitching
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Marcus Stroman may be donning a different set of pinstripes in 2024.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that Stroman and the New York Yankees “continue to have mutual interest” as the Yankees look to solidify the starting rotation. Nightengale reported that this interest began in November at the GM meetings.
The Yankees have also been rumored to be a candidate to make a trade for a notable starter, with names like Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber and Jesús Luzardo being potential targets.
Stroman, a New York State native, spent the previous two seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He went 16-16 with a 3.73 ERA in those two seasons, but notably had a hot start to 2023 and was named to the National League All-Star team.
He missed a significant portion of the latter stages of the 2023 season with a ribcage injury. Despite the injury, he declined his 2024 option, which would have had him earn $21 million for the 2024 season had he taken the option.
The Yankees’ rotation is headlined by Gerrit Cole and the staff as a whole was ranked 10th in MLB in 2023. Still, New York stumbled to an 82-80 record and missed the postseason for the first time since 2016.
After acquiring San Diego Padres slugger Juan Soto earlier in the offseason, it is apparent that the Yankees are going all in next season and improving the depth of the rotation could be a huge boost.