New York Yankees Sign Free-Agent Pitcher Marcus Stroman

The New York Yankees have reached an agreement with free-agent pitcher Marcus Stroman on a two-year, $37 million contract, according to sources. The deal also includes a vesting option for a third year. Stroman, who is from Medford, N.Y., posted an image of himself in a Yankees uniform on Instagram, indicating his excitement to join the team.

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This is not Stroman’s first connection to the Yankees. In 2019, the team expressed interest in acquiring him before the Trade Deadline. Stroman, who grew up near the Bronx, had always dreamed of playing for the Yankees due to his love for pitching at Yankee Stadium and the thrill of competing under pressure.

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Stroman has been a consistently above-average starter throughout his career, debuting with the Blue Jays in 2014. His earned run average has never been lower than 113 in the past four seasons, and he made his second All-Star appearance in 2023. Although injuries limited his performance in recent years, Stroman has shown durability in the past, exceeding 180 innings three times.

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After being traded to the Mets in 2019, Stroman missed all of 2020 due to injury and COVID-19 concerns. In 2022, he suffered from shoulder inflammation and a bout with COVID-19, but still managed to pitch effectively. However, his 2023 campaign was hampered by another round of injuries, including a right rib cartilage fracture.

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The Yankees aim to bolster their rotation with Stroman, who relies on his low-90s sinker to induce ground balls. Despite a decline in his chase and zone rates in 2023, his ground-ball rate remained at a solid 57%. The addition of Stroman will provide much-needed pitching depth for the Yankees as they look to contend in the coming seasons.

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With this signing, the Yankees have addressed their need for a starting pitcher, following their acquisition of outfielder Starling Marte earlier in the offseason. While they initially pursued NL Cy Young winner Max Scherzer, they pivoted to Stroman due to his availability and more favorable price tag. Stroman will now join his fourth team in six seasons, bringing his talent and experience to the Bronx.

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Sources: MLB.com, Mark Feinsand, New York Post, ESPN, Jesse Rogers