- New York and Juan Soto ‘agreed record-breaking $31m deal to avoid arbitration’
- Stroman was named an All-Star for the second time in his career last season
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The New York Yankees have reportedly agreed a two-year, $37 million contract with two-time All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Stroman spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Cubs and declined the $21m option in his contract in order to become a free agent this season.
The 32-year-old broke the news of his move to the Bronx on his Instagram story. He posted a picture of himself in a Yankees jacket as a child, before posting a mock-up of himself in a Yankees uniform.
Stroman’s final post said: ‘I’m a New York Yankee.’
Stroman is no stranger to the Big Apple – not only because he is a Long Island native, but also because he spent two seasons pitching for the Mets.
Two-time All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman has agreed a deal with the New York Yankees
Stroman broke the news of his move to the Bronx on his Instagram story on Thursday
He pitched for the Mets in 2019, earning his first All-Star nod following a trade from the Toronto Blue Jays, and in 2021. He opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The news of Stroman’s deal capped off a busy Thursday for the Yankees after they also reportedly agreed a one-year, $31m deal with Juan Soto in order to avoid arbitration.
It would mark a new record for an arbitration-eligible player, surpassing the $30m given to Shohei Ohtani last year.
The Yankees acquired Soto in a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres earlier this offseason.
Stroman previously spent two seasons pitching with cross-town rival New York Mets
The Yankees also re-signed Juan Soto to record breaking $31 million deal to avoid arbitration
Last season, meanwhile, Stroman went 10-9 with a 3.95 ERA, 119 strikeouts, and a 1.259 WHIP.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer had described Stroman’s 2023 as ‘a tale of two seasons.’
‘He was exceptionally good and a candidate to start the (All-Star) Game,’ Hoyer told reporters back in November.
‘And then, really, kind of post-London I think he kind of really never got it back on track. He struggled in July and then obviously was hurt for August. And I gave him a lot of credit for working hard and trying to come back, but he never quite got back to where it was.’
Stroman’s final year with the Cubs saw him start the year by leading the National League with a 2.28 ERA until June 20. He then dealt with injury issues and struggled down the stretch.