The New York Yankees are rumored to be one of the three teams leading the pursuit for Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman.
As the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaches, the New York Yankees will be looking to improve their pitching staff. One of the big names they’re rumored to be on the pursuit for is Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Yanks are one of three teams who are leading the pursuit for the veteran pitcher. The other organizations happen to be the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves.
The idea the Jays won’t deal with the Braves because Alex Anthopoulos is Atlanta’s GM is “absurd,” according to someone in the know. Of course, that doesn’t mean the Braves are heavily in on Stroman. Many teams have called. Better chances might be Yanks, Astros or someone else.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 22, 2019
Stroman wouldn’t become a rental for wherever he lands. He’s eligible for arbitration in the winter. Therefore, whoever the Blue Jays possibly trade him to will have him through 2020 as well.
The veteran starting pitcher is 6-10 through 20 starts this year with a 3.06 ERA.
Although the Yanks have emerged as one of the favorites to end up with Stroman, it would be tough for the Blue Jays to ship one of their top pitchers to an inner-division team. Especially to the team that’s leading the AL East division.
The Yankees sit atop that division by 9.0 games at the moment, staring at a record of 64-34.
They have a good pitching staff currently, manned by starters Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, and Domingo Germán. However, it could always be better, and the Yanks would fare well with a pitcher like Stroman as they eventually make a playoff push.
The deadline is in a little over a week. It’ll be exciting to see if some veteran pitchers end up finding a new home, such as Stroman and New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler.
