Yankees emerge as candidates to sign Marcus Stroman (report)

The Yankees have emerged as a “leading candidate” to deal with Marcus Stroman, after the club held “productive conversations” with the right-hander in recent days, MLB Network analyst John Paul Morosi reported.

Bob Nightingale reported in USA Today earlier this week that the two sides have had a “mutual interest” in each other since their general managers' meetings in November.

The Yankees were unsuccessful in their attempts to improve the rotation in the winter. They failed in their attempt to buy Yoshinobu Yamamoto. It was reported that they also have interest in Shōta Imanaga Close to agreement with the Cubs. MLB Network analyst Jon Heyman wrote last week in the New York Post that the Yankees are “still far away in negotiations” with top free agents like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.

But as the Yankees keep trying, perhaps they can finalize a deal for Stroman. The pitcher is coming off his second call-up to the All-Star Game in 2023 and finished the year with a 3.95 ERA over 136.2 innings, though he did not start again after July due to rib and hip injuries.

Stroman has experience playing in New York, having worn a Mets uniform between 2019 and 2021. He posted a stellar 126 ERA+ in 238.2 innings (44 starts) in that span.

The Red Sox, Orioles, Giants, Angels and Phillies are among the teams that have also been linked to the 32-year-old right-hander.