Will Marcus Stroman Thrive With The Yankees?
If you have been reading this site by now you know that I don’t really try to hide my hatred for the Yankees. With that said, I’d like to think I’m pretty unbiased. Apparently, I was the only person in America that knew Carlos Rodon was going to stink it up. It pains me to say this but Brian Cashman is having a great offseason and Marcus Stroman is a big reason why.
Stroman, 32, signed a two-year deal worth $37 million this offseason. The deal also includes a vesting option based on innings pitched. On the surface, this move feels like a way smarter investment than the one they made with Rodon a year ago. The contract itself is also way less risky.
The 5-foot-7 Stroman has averaged 27.66 starts per season over the last three years. He might be smaller in stature but hasn’t shown any serious signs of breaking down. The former Duke product should still have gas in the tank here. Something I questioned the second Rodon signed that deal.
More than anything, the biggest mistake that baseball general managers make is not understanding their ballpark. If you don’t understand your ballpark, you’re not going to win. Cashman wisely understood that and started constructing a team to win in Yankee Stadium. Maybe he did it all on accident but this offseason the pieces truly fit the puzzle.
We know how Yankee Stadium operates. The jet stream in right field is real. The Bronx Bombers finally operated in a way that George Steinbrenner would be proud of.
What did New York need this offseason? More left-handed power and more reliable starting pitching that can keep the ball in the ballpark. Cashman is two for two.
Trade for Juan Soto? Check.
Sign one of the best groundball specialist starters in the sport? Also, check!
Stroman is flawed but he fits this ballpark. The former Blue Jays, Mets, and Cubs starter has negative metrics in a lot of categories. However, Stroman was in the 94th percentile in ground ball rate in 2023 with Chicago. With the T-Ball stadium the Yankees play in, creating ground balls is imperative to success. Stroman gave up just nine homers in 136.2 innings a season ago. If he replicates that in Yankee Stadium, this will prove to be an enormous boost to the rotation.
Stroman didn’t exactly get along with the media in New York last go around. However, it’s worth noting that he grew up a big Yankee fan. Stroman should be motivated to pitch for a place he grew up dreaming to play for. It’s hard to not like the fit here as much as it pains me to say it. It’s low risk reliable innings. How do you not like it?
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