The New York Yankees have successfully filled the void in their pitching rotation, securing a two-year deal with right-hander Marcus Stroman worth $37 million, as reported by The Post’s Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman on Thursday night. The agreement is currently pending a standard physical examination.
In an interesting twist, Stroman could potentially extend his tenure with the Yankees to a third year, with a vesting option hinging on him pitching 140 innings in the 2025 season. If this condition is met, the total value of the contract would amount to $55 million over three years.
The 32-year-old, known for his fiery on-field demeanor, is a native of Long Island and is fresh off an All-Star season with the Chicago Cubs. However, his performance tapered off in the second half, and he missed a significant six weeks due to hip inflammation and a rib cage cartilage fracture.
The Yankees, after acquiring outfielder Juan Soto and missing out on Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto earlier in the offseason, were left with a gap in their pitching rotation. Initially eyeing the likes of Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery in free agency and Dylan Cease in potential trades, the team eventually sealed the deal with Stroman.
While the possibility of pursuing additional pitchers remains open, the Yankees have fortified their rotation with the addition of Stroman, who will join Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt.
Stroman, a former Blue Jay and Met, expressed his excitement on Instagram, sharing an old picture of himself in a Yankees sweatshirt and a photoshopped image of him in a Yankees uniform. Notably, Stroman had previously engaged in social media banter with Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman in past years. Despite this, he now has the opportunity to contribute to the team’s success and reverse their World Series drought.
A graduate of Patchogue-Medford and Duke, Stroman brings a career 3.65 ERA across 1,303 ²/₃ innings to the Bronx. The Yankees are optimistic that Stroman’s expertise, especially as a ground-ball specialist, will add much-needed consistency to the rotation, which struggled last season behind AL Cy Young-winning Cole.
With the addition of Stroman, the Yankees have also been shoring up their starting depth. Right-hander Luke Weaver recently agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal, including a club option for 2025, joining a group of pitchers ready to step in for spot starts when needed.