HUGE DECISION: Yankees Manager Aaron BOONE Reacts To $37 Million Veteran’ Marcus Stroman Decision

Speculation has circulated all summer, and as the New York Yankees’ pitchers and catchers prepare to report for spring training, it is whipping into a frenzy. Everyone in baseball knows that the Yankees are looking to trade veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman. He seems to know as well. Stroman recently unfollowed the Yankees from social media.

When asked by NJ.com’s Max Goodman, Yankees manager Aaron Boone waved it off. “And what about Stroman’s recent removal of all Yankees-related posts from Instagram? That had nothing to do with trade rumours or his feelings toward the club, according to Boone,” Goodman wrote. “I came to find out that that was a yearly thing, a normal routine,” Boone told NJ. “Much to do about nothing.” With Max Fried’s acquisition and the Yankees’ payroll in need of more room, it seems clear that the Yankees want to move Stroman and his $18.5 million salary for 2025.

Boone and the front office, on the other hand, will not say anything that could jeopardize their position. No, they’ll go into spring training, increase his value, and wait for the market to shift in their favour. “The reality is he might be the most important starting pitcher for us this year,” Boone told Goodman during the interview. “The reality is that he was one of the reasons we got to where we were last year, based on what he did throughout the season. He handled himself so well in a new atmosphere, especially ours, and the reality is that he’s been a tremendous pitcher throughout his career.

That’s the expectation for this year, and that’s how we’ll plan.” With the Tigers agreeing to terms with Jack Flaherty, the starting pitching market may be turning for the Yankees. Still, they will have to pay a portion of Stroman’s contract and find a team willing to accept the $18.5 million vesting option for 2026. Stroman’s productivity fell after a robust start in 2024. Stroman finished with a 4.31 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 154 ⅔ innings. He was demoted to the bullpen once all of the Yankees’ starters returned to health. He did not pitch during the Yankees’ postseason journey to the World Series.