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Marcus Stroman’s Injury May Be a Trade Deadline Win for the Yankees

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated May 18, 2025 11:41 AM ET

Marcus Stroman hasn’t thrown a pitch since April, but somehow, his trade value is quietly heating up. The Yankees might have stumbled into a rare bit of luck without Stroman even stepping on a mound, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports.

With his left knee still barking, Stroman is unlikely to reach the 140-inning mark that would have automatically locked in his $18 million player option for 2026. That looming salary scared teams off over the winter when the Yankees explored potential trade scenarios last winter.

Teams just didn’t want to risk being stuck with that kind of financial commitment if things went sideways.

As MLB Trade Rumors reported earlier this week, Stroman’s injury could ultimately save the Yankees $18 million. And New York could have a valuable chip to play if he gets back on the mound before the trade deadline and shows even flashes of his early-season form. The risk for interested teams is suddenly lower, and in a pitching market that’s already thin, that matters.

Right now, Stroman is still dealing with a mysterious knee issue, but if Stroman can make even a handful of starts before the deadline, his value could spike just as the Yankees look to deal for an infielder or another starter.

The Yankees had tried to move Stroman over the winter but found that the 34-year-old’s vesting option for 2026 was a problem. When injuries devastated their rotation in spring training, Stroman became a necessity. Now, they see they can get by without Stroman and his 11.57 ERA.

Stroman, who signed the two-year $37-million deal last offseason, made 30 appearances, including 29 starts for the Yankees in 2024. He went 9-10 with a 4.31 ERA, his highest since 2018 with the Toronto Blue Jays. After a decent first half, posting a 3.31 ERA, Stroman blew up in his l

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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