Last January, Marcus Stroman represented the Yankees’ biggest free-agent signing of the month.
This January came and went without the club signing anyone to a major league contract, and while part of that is because of a slower-moving free-agent market for the areas the Yankees need to address, it also could have to do with them not yet finding a team to take Stroman and at least some of his salary off their hands.
The right-hander currently projects as the club’s No. 6 starter, and while the Yankees are always trying to make sure they have enough pitching, Stroman’s $18 million salary is a hefty price tag as they hover just above the highest luxury tax threshold ($301 million) — with Cot’s Contracts estimating them to be at $302.9 million.
The Yankees still have a few holes to fill before pitchers and catchers report to Tampa on Feb. 11 — notably a lefty reliever, an infielder to play third base or second base and perhaps a backup catcher — but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to find a home for Stroman before then.
And while it would only take one spring training injury to a member of the Yankees’ rotation to thrust Stroman back into the fold, an injury elsewhere could potentially open the door for a trade partner emerging.
The 33-year-old Stroman is coming off a season in which he posted a 4.31 ERA across 154 ²/₃ inning — including a 3.15 ERA over his first 16 starts before pitching to a 5.97 ERA over his final 14 outings (13 starts), a span in which opposing batters hit .341 with a .867 OPS.
The Yankees moved Stroman to the bullpen by September before leaving him off the ALDS roster. He was on both the ALCS and World Series rosters as a reliever but did not appear in a game.
As things currently stand, the market for Stroman appears limited, especially with the likes of Jack Flaherty, Nick Pivetta, Kyle Gibson, Jose Quintana, Andrew Heaney and Lance Lynn still available in free agency — and potentially Dylan Cease via trade.
Complicating matters is the fact that Stroman has an $18 million player option for 2026 that kicks in if he pitches 140 innings this year.
A team with a young rotation that needs a veteran to eat up some innings would seem to be the most likely fit for Stroman, but the Yankees may have to cover a good chunk of his salary to make that happen.
A swap for another bad contract could also make some sense if it helps address one of the Yankees’ needs.
Here are three potential landing spots:
Padres
The Padres are thought to be trying to cut their payroll this offseason, but could a deal happen if they used it to offload an expiring contract like Luis Arraez and his $14 million?
The Yankees likely would have to sweeten the deal by sending cash and/or a prospect.
The Padres, who made an offer to Stroman before he signed with the Yankees (per The Post’s Jon Heyman) have a projected rotation of Cease, Michael King, Yu Darvish, Randy Vasquez and Matt Waldron.
Cardinals
Earlier this offseason, the Cardinals reportedly turned down a deal that would have landed them Stroman for third baseman Nolan Arenado and the three years and $74 million left on his contract.
But they are still trying to find a taker for Arenado, so perhaps the two teams circle back.
Marlins
Currently projected to have MLB’s lowest luxury tax payroll of $83.9 million, the Marlins could certainly fit Stroman’s salary.
Would they want to?
They look like a team that needs a veteran to eat innings, with their current projected rotation led by ace Sandy Alcantara (coming back from Tommy John surgery) along with Ryan Weathers, Edward Cabrera and Max Meyer.
