Marcus Stroman thrilled to join Yankees: ‘New York, I’m ready’

Marcus Stroman thrilled to join Yankees: ‘New York, I’m ready’

Two years removed from spending time in The Big Apple, starting pitcher Marcus Stroman is back, and this time with the New York Yankees after spending roughly 2.5 seasons with the New York Mets from 2019-2021.

Stroman inked a two-year, $37 million deal (with a third-year vesting option) with New York last week. The deal wasn’t announced officially until Thursday, as it designated outfielder Oscar Gonzalez for assignment to make room for the 32-year-old.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated OF Oscar Gonzalez for assignment.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 17, 2024

Welcome home, @STR0! #RepBX pic.twitter.com/nBPDsYudKq

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 17, 2024

Stroman, a New York native, publicly commented on joining his new team over social media for the first time Wednesday, seeming excited to don the pinstripes for the first time in his career.

“New York, I’m ready,” he wrote in his Instagram story Tuesday. “Can’t wait to put on THE PINSTRIPES and feel the energy in Yankee Stadium. Honored to put on the uniform. Very very honored.

“Will compete to the highest degree for you all. The authentic confidence and swagger I play with is a direct result to growing up in New York culture. Truly can’t wait to feel the buzz and vibe of the crowd on start day. That’s the shit we dream about as kids. I get chills thinking of these dreams turn to reality!”

Stroman was drafted No. 22 overall in the 2012 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays and pitched in the AL East for the first 5.5 years of his career before getting traded to the Mets in a three-player swap in July of 2019.

He made 11 career starts inside Yankee Stadium, owning a 6.06 ERA–his second-worst ERA inside any MLB Stadium–in 52.0 innings. Thankfully for him, he won’t have to go up a powerful Yankees offense anymore, spearheaded by Aaron Judge (who owned a career 1.608 OPS in 25 plate appearances off him), recently-acquired Juan Soto and Gleyber Torres, among others.

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Stroman pitched to a 3.95 ERA and 3.58 FIP last year with 119 strikeouts to 52 walks across 136.2 innings with the Cubs. Over his career, he owns a 3.65 ERA and 3.63 FIP in 231 career appearances (223 career starts). 

He joins a rotation led by reigning AL CY Young Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon. The organization’s had recent success developing sinkerballers, such as Michael King and closer Clay Holmes. Will it be able to fashion similar success out of Stroman? Let us know in the comments below!

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