May 29, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) reacts as after forcing Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (not pictured) to hit into a double play during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago Cubs
NEW YORK — The Yankees are in desperate need of a starting pitcher.
So much so, they now have interest in a player that trashed the organization a few years back.
The Yankees and Marcus Stroman have “mutual interest,” according to USATODAY’s Bob Nightengale.
For what’s it worth, Nightengale reported on Sunday that Stroman and his agent reached out to the Yankees, but New York declined to make an offer.
The 32-year-olds market has been non-existent this winter, despite his numbers comparing to Jordan Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez. Stroman pitched to a 3.95 ERA in 136.2 innings over 27 outings last season for the Chicago Cubs. He started the season strong, compiling a 2.88 ERA in his first 20 starts, but struggled down the stretch after suffering a rib cage cartilage fracture.
Stroman and the Yankees have a messy history, as he publicly expressed his displeasure for the organization after they opted against trading for him at the 2019 trade deadline. The word is that the Long Island native wanted to pitch for the Yankees when the Toronto Blue Jays were shopping him.
Despite their murky past, Stroman has proven he can pitch in New York, posting a 3.21 ERA in 44 starts for the Mets in a season and a half.
It’s possible the groundball pitchers market heats up after Japanese hurler Shota Imanaga chooses his destination.
Regardless, with the Yankees in dire need of pitching depth, Stroman is a name that they should consider. Nightengale adds in his report the Bombers are searching for another front-line starting pitcher on the trade markets, however.
