The New York Yankees boast a highly talented roster this season, headlined by none other than Aaron Judge, widely regarded as the best player in baseball. Judge is putting together an extraordinary start to the year, and if he remains healthy, he appears poised to secure another American League MVP award. His early-season performance has been nothing short of remarkable, and he continues to anchor a lineup brimming with potential.
In addition to Judge, the Yankees have benefitted from the strong performances of other standout players, such as Paul Goldschmidt and Max Fried. Both have emerged as critical contributors, with Fried especially impressive on the mound, posting a stellar 1.19 ERA across 37.2 innings pitched. These early successes have provided optimism for the Yankees’ campaign.
However, not every storyline surrounding the team is positive. A significant concern remains in the form of starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, whose struggles on the mound have become impossible to ignore. Many around the league believe that the Yankees must move on from Stroman by the end of the month.
Stroman’s 2025 campaign has been abysmal. Despite speculation that he might be released before the season started, injuries to Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, and Luis Gil forced the Yankees to retain him temporarily. These injuries may have inadvertently extended Stroman’s tenure in the Bronx, but his results have done little to justify that decision.
In limited action, Stroman has started only three games, pitching a total of 9.1 innings. During that span, he has surrendered 12 hits, issued seven walks, allowed 12 earned runs, and given up two home runs. His outings have lacked consistency, and he frequently found himself in trouble before being sidelined with an injury.
Although some may argue that he provides valuable pitching depth on a roster thinned by injuries, the quality of his performances tells a different story. Stroman has arguably been the least effective pitcher on the team. Rather than continuing to rely on him, the Yankees might be better served promoting a promising prospect like Brock Selvidge to fill the void. While releasing Stroman could be costly, doing so may be necessary to maintain the team’s competitive edge.
