Marcus Stroman never met a headline he didn’t like, and this spring was no exception. Skipping the Yankees' first two workouts and shutting down any talk of a bullpen role? Vintage Stroman. But strip away the drama, and one thing is clear: he sees himself as a starter—and, ironically, he just might be right.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman seems to agree, despite spending the winter trying to unload Stroman and his $18 million price tag. “I agree with him, he is a starter,” Cashman admitted before the Yankees' Grapefruit League opener—a game Stroman, fittingly, started. “So let’s see how everything plays out. In six weeks of Spring Training, there’s typically a lot of twists and turns and winding roads before you get to Opening Day.” Well, one of those twists just arrived... Luis Gil is out for at least six weeks. Suddenly, that winding road seems to be leading Stroman straight back into the Yankees’ rotation.
The Yankees weren’t just looking to trade Stroman because of his big personality but also because of his big contract, which, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, has left their checkbook on life support. No teams bit, so here Stroman remains—still in pinstripes, still stirring the pot, and still, oddly enough, exactly what the Yankees might need.
Because for all the bravado and bluster, Stroman has something else: heart.
Whether you call it arrogance or self-belief, the guy competes. And if given the chance, he might just pitch his way back into the Yankees' good graces. With backing from Cashman and, whether he likes it or not, Aaron Boone, Stroman has a golden opportunity to change the narrative.
Who knows? Maybe instead of being the guy the Yankees wanted to dump, he’ll be the guy they can’t afford to lose. And you know what? I’m rooting for him. Because love him or hate him, the Yankees need him.
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