Marcus Stroman's future with the New York Yankees appears uncertain as reports indicate the team is actively seeking to trade the 33-year-old right-hander. Bob Nightengale of Moneyline reported that the Yankees' pursuit of deals marks a departure from simply listening to offers, suggesting a more proactive approach. The Yankees' current pitching strategy could position Stroman as the sixth starter in a potential six-man rotation for 2025, or as a long reliever with an $18 million price tag in a five-man rotation.

The question of Stroman's trade value looms large given his performance in the 2024 season, where he recorded a 4.31 ERA over 30 appearances, resulting in a below-average 95 ERA+. Despite logging 154.2 innings and not participating in the postseason, there remains a glimmer of hope for potential suitors, as Stroman boasted a 3.09 ERA in road games. However, his overall metrics fell short of expectations, posing a challenge for the Yankees in determining his value for trade.

Stroman, a two-time All-Star, remains capable of generating ground balls effectively, yet his surplus value according to Baseball Trade Values is $7.4 million less than his projected earnings in 2025. Additionally, his player option for 2026, contingent on pitching 140 innings, complicates the trade dynamics. The Yankees may need to engage in creative negotiations, which could involve swapping bad contracts, pairing Stroman with a more valuable asset, or absorbing some of his salary. As a win-now organization already projected to surpass the luxury tax threshold for the upcoming season, acquiring salary relief and securing an upgrade for their major league roster will be critical in any deal involving Stroman.

Among potential trade partners, several teams have emerged as candidates, including the Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and Chicago Cubs. The Athletics, seeking to bolster their roster while managing payroll, may find Stroman an intriguing option despite the added cost. Meanwhile, the Braves aim to fill gaps in their rotation but may struggle to align with the Yankees in terms of trade compatibility.

The Guardians could benefit from Stroman's ground ball tendencies, particularly given their strong infield defense, despite their hesitance to increase payroll. The Los Angeles Angels, fresh off a deal involving a bad contract, might see Stroman as a valuable addition, though their rotation is already in reasonably good shape. Additionally, the Yankees previously explored trading Stroman to the Cardinals, specifically targeting Nolan Arenado, but the proposal was rejected. However, revisiting such concepts may still be a possibility in future discussions.

A potential trade proposal suggests the Yankees could acquire right-handed pitchers Kenta Maeda and Matt Manning from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Stroman. This arrangement would yield monetary savings for New York, as Maeda's contract would reduce their payroll, potentially aiding in avoiding luxury tax penalties. Furthermore, acquiring usable pitchers aligns with the Yankees' immediate needs, with Maeda possibly serving in long relief and Manning representing an upside play despite past injury struggles.

Another scenario involves the Yankees acquiring left-handed pitcher Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Stroman, left-handed prospect Henry Lalane, and cash. Soto's capabilities as a hard-throwing reliever and his previous All-Star status would address the Yankees' need for left-handed depth in the bullpen. This move, while adding a lefty, could also represent a financial relief opportunity for the Yankees.

The Toronto Blue Jays could consider reacquiring Stroman, who previously played in Toronto from 2014 to 2019. A suggested trade might involve the Yankees receiving 2B Davis Schneider, RHP Ben Rice, and cash in exchange for Stroman. Schneider, despite a drop in performance following an impressive debut, boasts intriguing offensive potential, while Rice provides the Jays with a future option at designated hitter if necessary.

The San Francisco Giants may also find value in Stroman, leading to a proposal where the Yankees would receive infielder Marco Luciano in exchange for the right-hander and top prospect George Lombard Jr. Luciano, once a highly regarded prospect, continues to demonstrate a capacity for explosive offense despite recent struggles, making him a noteworthy addition for New York's future.

Finally, a trade proposal involving 2B Luis Arraez from the San Diego Padres could be on the table, bringing Stroman to San Diego along with a cash component and pitcher Will Warren. While Arraez would add a strong batting presence to the Yankees' lineup, the Padres would address their rotation depth concerns, especially with Joe Musgrove facing an extended recovery period.

In summary, while the Yankees aim to trade Stroman, numerous factors influence the dynamics of such a decision. Whether it's through creative financial maneuvers, strategic trade partnerships, or considerations for the overall roster composition, the next few weeks could prove to be pivotal in determining Stroman's fate within the organization.