One of the best unkept secrets from this past winter was that the New York Yankees were looking to move Marcus Stroman. The former Blue Jays top prospect signed a two-year deal with the Bronx Bombers last winter worth $37 million and it carries a vesting option for the 2026 season if he picks up more than 140 innings in 2025.

Statistically, his first season in the Yankees pinstripes was his worst since 2018, authoring a 4.31 ERA through 30 games (29 starts). He amassed a 4.62 FIP and an elevated 1.468 WHIP while striking out batters at a 6.6 K/9 clip – the lowest of his career (across a full season). The Yankees hurler did not make an appearance during their postseason run to the World Series.

A New York product, the Yankees front office has been looking for a trade partner for the vocal starter but has yet to find a willing team. Adding fuel to the fire is Stroman reporting a few days after pitchers and catchers were slated to make the trek to Florida for Spring Training, arriving earlier today. Stroman isn’t technically breaking the rules under the CBA, but it further adds intrigue to the whole situation regardless of the motive for arriving a few days after most.

When he did arrive, he was peppered by the media and was asked about potentially being moved to the bullpen for the 2025 season.

“I’m a starter,” said Stroman. “I won’t pitch in the bullpen… that’s me making the most basic, brief statement. Go look at the numbers. How many people can stay healthy and it 30+ starts year after year.”

While Stroman does have the history of being a starter, he is in tough to crack the rotation this upcoming season for the Yankees. The recent addition of Max Fried adds another arm into the mix and Clark Schmidt made strides in the Yanks rotation last year, likely pushing Stroman down the depth charts. FanGraphs is projecting the former Blue Jay to be a bullpen arm behind Fried, Schmidt, Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole, and Luis Gil. Even with the recent departure of Nestor Cortes, barring an injury, Stroman appears likely for the bullpen barring a trade to another squad.

Manager Aaron Boone did report that the club is building him up to be a starter but whether that comes to fruition at the end of Spring Training is still yet to be determined.

For his career, Stroman boasts a 3.72 ERA through 1458 1/3 innings across four different squads.