The Yankees’ rotation struggles continue, with Marcus Stroman’s inconsistent performance raising concerns about his future with the team. As the Yankees look to stabilize their rotation and potentially add more starters by the trade deadline, Stroman’s role may shift. For now, he has more chances to prove his worth, but the clock is ticking.
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The New York Yankees’ 2025 season has started on a high note, but beneath the surface, concerns are brewing about the team’s pitching rotation. Despite being projected as the No. 3 starter out of spring training, Marcus Stroman may find himself on the outside looking in as the rotation stabilizes, according to insider Joel Sherman.
Stroman’s Uncertain Future
Stroman, who signed a two-year, $37 million deal with the Yankees this offseason, has struggled to provide the consistency and length the team desperately needs. He has failed to pitch beyond the fifth inning in either of his starts this season, and his command has been elusive. “He lives on the corners,” noted The Post’s analyst Joel Sherman. “If he’s not getting strikes there, he becomes very hittable—especially against lefties.”
Rotation Struggles
The Yankees are the only team in the majors yet to notch a quality start this season (defined as six innings pitched with three earned runs or fewer). This has forced the bullpen into heavy early-season usage, a trend that could wear down relievers by midseason if not corrected soon. “You don’t want to burn out a bullpen in April,” the insider hinted. “If your starters aren’t going six, your ‘pen is going to be shot by July.”
A Crowded Rotation
The Yankees opened their season with a promising 6-3 record, and while the offense has done enough to win games, the rotation has struggled to provide length. Stroman has been a key part of this equation, unable to consistently pitch deep into games. In a recent outing, he failed to complete five innings—continuing a worrying trend for a Yankees staff already short on arms with Gerrit Cole sidelined until late summer.
Stroman’s Inconsistent Form
Stroman signed with the Yankees on a two-year deal this past offseason, including a player option for 2026 that vests at 140 innings pitched. However, the front office may not be committed to getting him to that threshold—especially if his performance remains middling. Through his first few starts, Stroman’s inability to escape jams and navigate deeper into lineups has stood out. He’s relying heavily on secondary pitches and command at the corners—traits that can be fragile without pinpoint precision. When he misses his spots, especially against left-handed hitters, the results have been damaging.
The 140-Inning Dilemma
While Stroman is being counted on to eat innings, whispers around the organization suggest the Yankees may quietly aim to keep him under the 140-inning vesting mark—if performance doesn’t improve. It’s a delicate balancing act: they need him now due to injuries, but they may not want to commit the salary and roster spot in 2026 if he doesn’t deliver. “There’s probably an internal plan to limit his innings if the rotation stabilizes by midseason,” the insider indicated. “Injuries may delay it, but once Schmidt and Gil are healthy and producing, Stroman becomes the expendable one.”
Yankees Will Be Buyers Again
Sources inside the organization confirm the Yankees are actively scouting the trade market. With the starting pitching depth thin beyond the major league roster, the front office is preparing to pursue at least one starter—possibly more—by the July 31 trade deadline. “There’s zero chance they make it to August without needing outside help,” one front office source said. “They’ll move early if the right arm becomes available.”
Stroman Can Control the Narrative
The truth is, Stroman’s future remains in his own hands. If he regains form and begins pitching deeper into games with consistency, he could silence the critics and make himself indispensable—even as Cole returns and the rotation heals. But right now, the signs point the other direction. “If this is the version of Stroman the Yankees get all season,” Sherman observed, “it’s hard to see how he stays in a first-division team’s rotation through October.”
