Marcus Stroman Nearly Joined AL Rival Before Signing With Yankees

The New York Yankees wound up signing Marcus Stroman, but he nearly went to an AL rival.

The New York Yankees are likely pleased that they were able to land this All-Star starter, who almost took his talents to the AL Central in the offseason.

Right-handed hurler, Marcus Stroman, who signed a two-year, $37 million deal with the Yankees earlier this winter, nearly inked a contract to join the Kansas City Royals before deciding on the Bronx, as sources told Inside the Pinstripes.

The word is that Stroman was interested in leading Kansas City’s pitching staff and the organization’s pitching philosophy intrigued him.

Instead, Stroman, a Long Island native, opted to come home to take the mound under the bright lights of New York City behind a rotation led by reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole. With Cole likely out until at least June with an elbow injury, Stroman is solidified as the No. 2 starter for the Yankees after left-hander Carlos Rodon.

It was always Stroman’s dream to pitch for the Yankees, the team he grew up watching. The Yankees were close to acquiring the 32-year-old at the 2019 trade deadline, but he was dealt to the Mets instead. The righty began his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he pitched from 2014-2019.

Stroman is a two-time All-Star but injured himself in the second half of last season with the Chicago Cubs. He wound up sitting on the free agent market for longer than expected, but when Yankees GM Brian Cashman called, the two sides were able to reconcile their differences, which resulted in a deal to join the pinstripes.

So far, the addition of Stroman has paid off, as he tossed six innings on 90 pitches without allowing an earned run to help the Yankees complete a four-game sweep of the hated AL rival Houston Astros over the weekend.

Even when Cole returns, Stroman will likely be the No. 2 starter in the rotation, which is a role he has become accustomed to fulfilling. Adding Stroman was an underrated move for Cashman and the Yankees, and one that might just be able to save them until they get their ace back.

Stroman is used to the pressure of pitching in New York, joining the Mets in 2019 and becoming a mainstay on their staff until 2021. He is a fierce, bulldog, competitor on the mound, and an arm the Yankees can rely on throughout the regular season and in October.