MLB Trade Rumors: 5 starters the New York Yankees should target
1. Marcus Stroman
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman figures to be the most in-demand commodity at the trade deadline. The 28-year-old is under team control for one more season and is making only $7.4 million this year, heading into his final winter of arbitration eligibility. Despite their 31-52 record, the Jays may not have entirely committed themselves to selling off every remaining trade chip. Their young core of hitters is coming together very quickly.
The Jays are in the driver’s seat when it comes to trading Stroman, and they will receive a handful of offers for his services. The Yankees figure to be one of the teams trying to pry him away from Toronto. Stroman is 5-9 this year with a 3.18 ERA. Health and consistency have been issues for him throughout his six-year career, and he is coming off a 19-start season in 2018 with a 5.54 ERA in 102.1 innings. Prior to 2018, the right-hander had strung together back-to-back 200-inning seasons.
Stroman has had success in the difficult AL East, which should interest the Yankees even more. He was also born and raised in New York and has a personality that should play well in the Big Apple. Stroman does not rely on strikeouts, but works his sinker through the bottom of the zone to rack up plenty of ground balls.
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Houston may be the top competition for the Yankees when it comes to acquiring Stroman, and the Astros have a far superior farm system with which to entice the Blue Jays. Stroman is a great fit for what the Yankees need to bolster their rotation, but they may be outbid when the final offers are made.