When it comes to starting pitching, the New York Yankees are incapable of remaining healthy. They lost Luis Severino for the entire 2020 season during spring training, due to Tommy John surgery. Last year, Severino barely saw the mound, and Jordan Montgomery was also recovering from Tommy John. Not to mention James Paxton needing surgery to remove a cyst from his lower back, which would have kept him out for several months if the season hadn’t been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Looking forward to 2021, the Yankees will lose one of their top starters in Masahiro Tanaka. Tanaka has spent six years with the Yankees, compiling an average ERA of 3.75 and striking out 149 batters in 2019. However, his average ERA would indicate that he had a down season last year, logging a 4.45. However, he was an All-Star based on his first half of the season but fell off significantly in a second.
Nonetheless, Tanaka’s contract expires at the end of 2020, where he will earn $23 million in adjusted salary. A 32-years-old, the Yankees could extend him for a few more seasons, but they might look to free agency to fill the void.
Could the New York Yankees consider Marcus Stroman?
This is where Marcus Stroman comes into play, who is currently pitching for the New York Mets, just a few subway rides away. He will earn $12 million this season at 29-years-old. Last year, he earned a 3.77 ERA with the Mets and a 2.96 ERA with the Toronto Blue Jays. Overall, he had a solid campaign that the Yankees might be looking at if they elect to attack free agency for a new starting pitcher. His health has been solid throughout his career, which is a big factor for a team like the Yankees trying to get away from the injury bug.
Stroman doesn’t have a high strikeout arm and isn’t as flashy as the Yanks might prefer. Ultimately, he needs to have a strong defensive cast behind him, something the Bronx Bombers don’t necessarily have at the moment (Gleyber Torres and overall health of players). That could change if Gleyber Torres pans out at shortstop, and Luke Voit can remain healthy.
The Yankees might be able to land Stroman on a multi-year deal averaging in the $15-20 million range, which would be solid value considering his last few seasons of ball. Over 184.1 innings in 2019, he logged 159 strikeouts and allowed 18 home runs. Compared to Tanaka, who pitched 182 innings, he earned 149 strikeouts and gave up 28 home runs.
Overall, you can make the argument that Stroman is currently the better pitcher and might be a fantastic replacement for Tanaka moving forward.
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