The New York Yankees are not done adding to their pitching staff with multiple holes remaining. They did make a pretty significant move Thursday evening, signing two-time All-Star starting pitcher Marcus Stroman away from the Chicago Cubs.
Joel Sherman of the NY Post was the first two report the details of the contract. It comes in at $18.5 million annually for two seasons with a vesting option for the second year.
This is a big move for a Yankees team that has been on the market for the top-end pitchers available in MLB free agency and the trade block. New York had missed out to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sweepstakes for Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
This is not the proverbial home run hit that Yankees fans had expected. In fact, it was noted earlier on Thursday that the Yankees had put in an offer for reigning National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell. But this move does not preclude them from adding Snell or another top-end starter to the mix.
Related: New York Yankees likely to add ‘significant’ pitcher from free agency or trade market
What the New York Yankees are getting in Marcus Stroman
Stroman, 32, was one of the best young pitchers in the game as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2014. Since then, he’s morphed into a solid starter.
This past season saw Stroman earn his second career All-Star appearance. He posted a 10-9 record with a 3.95 ERA and 1.26 WHIP while striking out 119 batters.
In an ideal world, Stroman would slot in behind reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole and another unnamed acquisition as the Yankees’ No. 3 starter.
Following their blockbuster acquisition of Juan Soto in a trade with the San Diego Padres earlier this winter, the Yankees need multiple starters. Stroman is just the first domino to fall.