Stroman Addresses Future Amid Trade Rumors at Yankees Camp

TAMPA, Fla. — Right-hander Marcus Stroman reported to Yankees spring training on Friday after missing the first two days of workouts, stating he is prepared to make more than 30 starts this season. However, questions loom over his role in the team’s starting rotation as he is not projected to be a starter.

“I won’t pitch in the bullpen,” Stroman declared. “I’m a starter.” His determination comes after a tumultuous offseason, during which he lost his home in Malibu to wildfires and faced constant trade rumors, with the Yankees looking to offload his $18.5 million salary.

Stroman attended spring camp on Tuesday for physical evaluations, but he chose not to participate in workouts both Wednesday and Thursday. According to Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, players are not required to report until Feb. 22, providing some leeway for attendance. This contrasts with last year, when Stroman was present from the outset of workouts at the beginning of his Yankees tenure.

At 34 years old and preparing for his 11th major league season, Stroman emphasized the importance of prioritizing his physical readiness. “At this stage in my career, I put a priority on getting my body ready. I don’t think there was a need for me to be here the last few days, given the climate,” he explained.

When asked about his late arrival to camp, Stroman simply responded, “Just felt like today was a good day to come. Valentine’s Day, I felt like the vibes were going to be proper.” He noted that he is often “very detached” during the offseason and found out about trade discussions through his mother and acquaintances. However, he expressed that such speculation does not bother him.

“I’m so grounded at this point,” Stroman said. “Nothing can really faze me. I know who I am as a pitcher. I can compete at any level, with any team. If I’m here, if I’m not here, my body’s ready to roll. I’m ready to go out there and give 30-plus starts.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone acknowledged the awkwardness around Stroman’s absence during the workouts but noted he had spoken with the pitcher since his arrival at camp. “He really is in a good frame of mind,” Boone added.

General Manager Brian Cashman responded to Stroman’s insistence on being a starter, referring to it as “vintage ‘Stro,” highlighting the pitcher’s competitive nature without expressing concern for his readiness. “I agree with him: He is a starter,” Cashman said. “So let’s just see how everything plays out. Six weeks of spring training, thereabout, there’s typically a lot of twists and turns and winding roads before you get to Opening Day, so we’ll deal with Opening Day when we get there.”

The Yankees dealt with pitching depth issues last season when starter Luis Gil suffered an elbow injury, leading to opportunities for pitchers like Clarke Schmidt to excel. Unlike Gil, who played for the league minimum, Stroman is viewed as an expensive insurance option. Although Stroman has not requested a trade, Cashman noted that the organization must remain flexible.

“There’s a lot of decisions around things,” Cashman stated. “We’re always open-minded to all aspects of the roster, and anybody’s welcome to knock on our door. Clearly, we have no problem floating weather balloons elsewhere and seeing where it takes us. That’s just the nature of the beast.”

Stroman was signed to a two-year deal worth $37 million before last season, with a conditional third-year player option. Should he pitch 140 innings this year, he can opt into an additional $18 million salary. Barring injury, the Yankees’ starting rotation is expected to consist of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, Domingo Germán, and Gil, which makes the prospects of a six-man rotation unlikely, according to Boone.

However, he kept the door open for potential changes, saying, “Never say never.”

Stroman performed admirably last season, surpassing the 140-inning threshold with a total of 154⅔ innings, achieving a 4.31 ERA across 30 games. He had a varied performance, posting a 3.51 ERA before the All-Star break and a 5.98 ERA in the second half. He notably faltered at Yankee Stadium, with a 5.31 ERA at home.

Despite not pitching during the Yankees’ postseason run to the World Series, Stroman expressed no dissatisfaction about his role. “Everyone in that clubhouse, I have nothing but love for and they all know that,” he said. “This is part of the business. It has nothing to do with my love for anybody in there.”

In addition to Stroman’s situation, Cashman announced plans for Yankees manager Aaron Boone to receive a contract extension. Boone’s current option for 2025 was picked up last November, but the team hopes to formalize a new agreement soon. “We’re hopeful at some point, sooner than later, that we’ll be able to officially cement something,” Cashman said.

Boone has led the Yankees to the postseason in six of his seven years, with a winning percentage of .599, ranking him 10th in franchise history among managers.