The Yankees are coming off a season in which they did not make the playoffs, and once again battled injuries for the majority of the season, specifically in their starting rotation.
Well after trading for Juan Soto early at the beginning of the off season, the Yankees have made a move to "bolster" their starting rotation. Right-hander Marcus Stroman and the Yankees are in agreement on a two-year, $37 million contract that includes a vesting player option, sources told ESPN on Thursday, lengthening New York's rotation with a two-time All-Star.
Stroman, 32, made the National League team after posting a 2.96 ERA in the first half of 2023 with the Chicago Cubs, the fourth-best mark in the NL. He made only six starts (along with two relief appearances) in the second half after suffering hip and rib injuries and allowed 23 earned runs in 24 innings, pulling his season-long ERA down to 3.95. The Yankees, nevertheless, sought him to help fill out a rotation that includes reigning American League Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole and a handful of question marks. Left-hander Carlos Rodon faltered in the first season of a six-year, $162 million deal. The rotation is expected to be rounded out by Nestor Cortes (4.97 ERA in 63⅓ innings) and Clarke Schmidt (4.64 ERA in 159 innings).
Other potential starters out there that the Yankees may still go after if they want to just put their nuts on the table.
Blake Snells: The Yankees seem to believe Snell wants to be here and are guessing the main competition may come from the Giants and Angels, who aren’t as appealing from a competitive standpoint. Of course, it’s hard to guess who else might get involved for a pitcher who posted an MLB-best 1.20 ERA over the final four-plus months of last season. The Phillies, baseball’s best free-agent players, are among others who’ve checked in and seek yet another starter.
Jordan Montgomery: The Yankees like him more now than when they sent him to the Cardinals for Harrison Bader, but the bigger question is what Montgomery thinks about a return. Still can't believe they traded him for an outfielder who was hurt for the first two months he was on the Yankees. Some suspect he’d like to stay in Texas, where he was an October hero en route to the Rangers’ first World Series title, if they can get their TV issue resolved and swing a big deal. The Phillies, Red Sox, Giants, Angels and others are showing interest.
Dylan Cease: The Yankees are showing little interest in relenting on a prospect-heavy package led by Jones, the top prospect from Vanderbilt.
Corbin Burnes and Shane Bieber: With the Brewers having an excellent chance even in the improved NL Central and the Guardians having a chance in the AL Central, both are seen as likely to stay — at least until the deadline.
Jordan Hicks: Fireballer Jordan Hicks is a free agent and has gotten some interest from the Yankees, Astros and "other teams," according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. In 65 appearances last season between the Cardinals and Blue Jays, Hicks pitched to a 3.29 ERA (132 ERA+) and 1.36 WHIP with 81 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings. He still had issues with walks, but overall had his best and most complete season since his rookie year in 2018.
Thursday marked the arbitration deadline in Major League Baseball, meaning it's a big day for the front offices, arbitration-eligible players and fans who track such matters, because it is the final day that teams and arbitration-eligible players exchange salary figures for the 2024 season.
Juan Soto has broken Shohei Ohtani's salary record for an arbitration-eligible player. The New York Post reports the Yankees and Soto have agreed to a $31.5 million salary for 2024, topping Ohtani's $30 million salary from last season.
Juan Soto, 2024 Yankees: $31.5 million
Shohei Ohtani, 2023 Angels: $30 million
Mookie Betts, 2020 Dodgers: $27 million
Nolan Arenado, 2019 Rockies: $26 million
