I think there’s something about New York Yankees Twitter. It’s very tough to impress them. When we signed Marcus Stroman after the past he’s had, everyone knew there’d be some backlash. We weren’t naïve. But take a look at our rotation now, led by Gerrit Cole, followed by Carlos Rodon, Stroman, Nestor Cortes Jr., and young Clarke Schmidt. Methinks that’s a lot better than what we were trotting out there just a day ago. I think it comes down to this – if you put Stroman’s stats from the last two years on a piece of paper, hide his name, and show it to any Yankee fan along with the two-year, $37 million contract, they’d be jumping for joy. But because it’s him, a guy who always seems to rub New York the wrong way, the knives come out.

I have to be honest, my feelings about Stroman joining the team are mixed. On one hand, I’m relieved that Cashman is making moves to strengthen our rotation, which is decent as it stands. However, I can’t shake off this nagging feeling that we need something more. Especially considering the injury marathon we endured in 2023, it’s clear we need a robust bench—more than just a safety net. Is there another play we could make here? I really hope…

Marcus Stroman’s questionable deal with the New York Yankees

“If this were a math equation, it would read: desperation plus desperation equals strange bedfellows.” Joel Sherman from The Post might be a bit harsh in his critique of the deal, but I understand where he’s coming from. However, the thought that Cashman circled back to Stroman after everything that’s happened does raise some eyebrows. It does quietly scream ‘desperate’, but there’s a part of me that’s oddly optimistic.

Breaking down Stroman’s agreement with the Yankees: pending a physical, a contract valued at $37 million over two years, plus a vesting option. It’s a solid offer for a pitcher who decided to leave a contract that still had a year left at $21 million. But it’s been ages since we’ve seen someone as animated as Stroman in Pinstripes. I can barely remember the last time someone did.

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His first game in Pinstripes? Expect it to be explosive. Sure, there’ll be a mixed bag of cheers and probably a wave of boos too, but that’s New York for you. Despite my optimism, let’s not kid ourselves about his shaky 6.06 ERA at Yankee Stadium. It’s a glaring number. Yet, despite this rough track record, I’m banking on him to step up and crush it in the Bronx.

Thin pitching market, but another move is a must!

If the grapevine’s got it right, the Yankees just threw down a pretty gutsy offer at Blake Snell. But there’s also chatter that the Bronx bigwigs balked at Snell’s hefty price tag and pivoted towards Stroman instead. Now, about Jordan Montgomery heading back to Texas–that’s pretty much a done deal, assuming they sort out their local television issue. But honestly, even if that falls through, Montgomery is not returning to New York after his clash with Cashman. That bridge is burnt.

Dylan Cease coming to the Yanks? Not a chance, unless they’re ready to cough up some serious prospects. They’ve already drained a chunk of their talent pool for Juan Soto. The White Sox have their eyes on Spencer Jones for Cease, but the odds of those two teams finding a middle ground seem slim to none. So, what are we left with? That’s right, pretty much zilch. This is the thin market we’ve been talking about. Unless some unexpected player bursts onto the scene, that’s the sorry state of the starting pitcher market.

Honestly, it looks like the Yanks are pretty much wrapping up their shopping spree in the starting pitching market. I’d say – don’t expect any more headline-grabbing moves there. What they’re zeroing in on now is beefing up their bullpen. The latest buzz suggests that they’re hot on the heels of Jordan Hicks, the former Jays speedster who can sling it over 100mph with ease.

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If you ask me right now, I’m close to being satisfied. I am, however, downright livid that the Yanks didn’t have a Plan B when the Yamamoto deal tanked. As for injuries? I’m choosing blissful ignorance. No way I’m entertaining the nightmare of our key players being benched. I’m holing up in my happy bubble, fingers crossed, and waiting to see pitchers and catchers.