Though the New York Yankees don't need another starting pitcher, one is coming back soon regardless.
As the Yankees' rotation has flourished over the last month, few have stopped to think about Marcus Stroman's return to the team. Max Fried and Carlos Rodón have been aces, and Ryan Yarbrough, Will Warren, and Clarke Schmidt all deserve their spots too.
Yet Stroman, who went on the injured list in April with a knee issue, is close to making his return. Manager Aaron Boone said earlier this week, after Stroman threw a live batting practice session, that a rehab stint could be up next.
The dilemma: There's no practical use for the 34-year-old former two-time All-Star, who has pitched to a 4.72 ERA so far in a Yankees uniform. So could the righty's return be more of a curse right now than a blessing?
Max Goodman of NJ Advance Media wrote about that dilemma on Friday, speculating that the 11-year veteran could be traded or even designated for assignment in the weeks to come.
"One option for the Yankees would be to simple cut ties with the starter once he’s healthy. They can extend his rehab journey as long as possible... but eventually, they’ll need to make a move and Stroman can’t be optioned to Triple-A. It’s either a big-league roster spot or he’s headed to the open market," Goodman wrote.
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"The Yankees could also try to trade Stroman again, like they did before this season and into spring training. Then again, what team would want him? Perhaps a club desperate for an innings-eater would offer up a low-level prospect for Stroman, but it feels unlikely."
If the Yankees were to let Stroman go altogether, they'd have to swallow the remainder of his $18.5 million salary this season. But because he's not going to hit the 140-inning threshold to trigger his vesting option for 2026, the contract would be paid off once they do so.
Sometimes, the pursuit of a championship means some cold transactions. We'll see eventually whether Stroman falls into that category.
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