Breaking: Yankees Free Themselves from Marcus Stroman Drama in Risky Trade Scenario
New York Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman sounds like he’d rather be anywhere but the Bronx.
Stroman, a full-time starting pitcher for nearly a decade, declared last week he won’t pitch out of the bullpen. The two-time All-Star posted a 10-9 record and a 4.31 ERA in 30 games (29 starts) last year.
Don’t expect Stroman to keep quiet if he’s not in the rotation. Stroman has a reputation for speaking his mind, dating back to his days as a young Toronto Blue Jays prospect.
If the Yankees consider trading Stroman in the coming weeks, the Los Angeles Angels should be among the first teams on the other line.
Going from a World Series contender in the Yankees to a rebuilding Angels team certainly sounds miserable. However, a Yankees-Angels trade featuring Stroman makes more sense than one might initially think.
Here’s a hypothetical trade both teams should consider.
Los Angeles Angels receive: Marcus Stroman, P
New York Yankees receive: David Calabrese, OF; Nick Mondak, P
Stroman immediately hypothetically joins an Angels rotation needing depth and talented arms. Former Chicago Cubs standout Kyle Hendricks owns a 4.80 ERA since the start of 2021.
Although he’s a talented lefty, Reid Detmers posted a 6.70 ERA and allowed 18 home runs in 17 starts last year. José Soriano impressed at times last year, though his control issues (45 walks in 113 innings) are definitely concerning.
The Yankees owe Stroman $18 million this season, and he’d guarantee himself another $18 million for 2026 if he pitches 140 innings. Barring injury, he’d almost certainly hit that mark if locked into a rotation spot.
As for the Yankees’ return, Calabrese is a former third-round pick from Canada. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder hit .209 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 38 Double-A games last year.
Calabrese isn’t a top prospect, nor is he one who’s overly impressed in the minors. His career .217 average and .691 OPS don’t scream future All-Star, let alone a backup outfielder.
In other words, the Angels can afford to part ways with a left-handed outfielder who has shown power flashes in the past. The Yankee Stadium short porch is calling!
Mondak is an older prospect who turns 27 in June. However, the starter-turned-reliever recorded a 2.78 ERA across two levels in 2024.
Mondak is a project arm, and the worst-case scenario is that he’s a minor-league depth option.
Admittedly, this isn’t a flashy trade. However, it frees the Yankees from a potentially ugly Stroman situation, allowing the 33-year-old to start and earn his contract incentives.
We’d certainly take that trade if we were either team. Unless, of course, the Angels intend on using Stroman as a long reliever, in which case the saga continues.
