The Yankees are stuck in a game of hot potato with Marcus Stroman, except no one seems willing to catch. According to The New York Post’s Joel Sherman, the trade market for Stroman is practically nonexistent, forcing the Yankees into a tough spot. If they want to move him, they may have to swallow a significant chunk of his contract just to make it happen—potentially up to $13 million.
It’s honestly kind of sad. Stroman isn’t a bad pitcher, but baseball is a brutal business. One rough season, and suddenly, you’re the guy no team wants to take a chance on. The Yankees have been shopping him since early January but given his $18 million salary for this season and a player option for the same amount in 2026 if he reaches 140 innings, teams just aren’t lining up at the door. Right now, he’s the odd man out in the Yankees’ rotation, and if he stays in the Bronx, his best-case scenario might be as a long reliever. That’s a steep fall for a guy who was once an All-Star.
So, what’s the best way out of this mess? Bleacher Report suggests a deal with the Texas Rangers could be the most logical solution. The proposal?
To Texas: SP Marcus Stroman, C/1B Rafael Flores, cash.
To New York: IF Josh Smith.
For the Yankees, this would finally put an end to the Stroman saga while helping to patch up their infield depth, an area of concern heading into spring training. As for the Rangers, it’s not the worst idea—they’re heavily relying on Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle, two talented arms who combined for just 23.1 innings last season due to injuries. Adding Stroman as an insurance policy, especially if the Yankees eat a chunk of his salary, could be a decent low risk move.
The real question is whether this trade—or any trade—actually happens. At this point, unless a team gets desperate for a fifth starter, the Yankees might just have to bite the bullet and keep Stroman around. It’s wild to think that a pitcher who once had so much value is suddenly a tough sell, but that’s the reality of baseball. One bad season can kill a career, and right now, Stroman is dangerously close to becoming the guy no one wants.
