As Major League Baseball approaches the trade deadline, the New York Yankees, one of the most storied franchises in the league, are under immense pressure to contend for a playoff spot. With a roster that boasts a blend of established stars and emerging talent, the Yankees’ pursuit of a postseason berth hinges on one crucial element: improving their pitching staff.
While the Yankees have often relied on a potent offense and strong starting rotation, their bullpen has been a weakness in recent seasons, and the 2025 season is no different. While the Yankees’ lineup is formidable, with players like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo in the heart of the order, the bullpen’s inconsistency has made closing out games a challenge. This has led to whispers around the league and in the Yankees’ front office: a big trade to bolster their bullpen could be the key to getting back on track.
One intriguing trade scenario making the rounds involves the Yankees shipping **Marcus Stroman**, the veteran right-handed pitcher, along with a highly-rated prospect, to acquire an **All-Star reliever** who can provide a stabilizing presence at the back end of their bullpen. This blog post will break down how such a deal could benefit the Yankees, what the trade would look like, and why it makes sense for both sides.
### Why Marcus Stroman?
Marcus Stroman, a veteran of both the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs, has been one of the most consistent starting pitchers in Major League Baseball over the past decade. The 32-year-old right-hander has always been known for his ability to generate ground balls, his impressive control, and his ability to pitch effectively in high-pressure situations. Stroman’s current season with the Yankees has been solid, with a respectable ERA, good strikeout rates, and a profile that fits well within the Yankees’ starting rotation.
However, the Yankees’ situation presents a bit of a dilemma. While Stroman is an effective starter, their focus may now shift to improving the bullpen rather than adding to their rotation. With a rotation that includes **Gerrit Cole**, **Nestor Cortés**, and **Luis Severino**, adding a starter like Stroman may not be as critical as reinforcing the bullpen, which has been a weak link in the Yankees’ quest for postseason success.
Stroman has a controllable contract and would provide another team with a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter for a playoff push. His leadership, ability to keep the ball in the park, and ability to pitch in tough moments would make him a desirable trade piece for many teams—especially those in need of stability in their rotation. However, for the Yankees, moving Stroman could allow them to acquire a piece that better addresses their immediate needs: a game-changing reliever.
### Why the Yankees Need an All-Star Reliever
The Yankees’ bullpen has been a focal point of concern for much of the 2025 season. While **Clay Holmes** has been a reliable presence, the rest of the bullpen has been shaky at times. **Michael King** has shown flashes of brilliance, but the Yankees have struggled with finding consistent options to bridge the gap to their closer. There have been numerous instances of late-game collapses that have cost the Yankees crucial victories.
In particular, the Yankees lack a dominant, shutdown reliever—someone who can consistently come in during high-leverage situations and get outs when the game is on the line. A flamethrowing closer or setup man who can handle pressure in tight spots could be the difference between advancing in the postseason or falling short once again.
By acquiring an **All-Star caliber reliever**, the Yankees could solidify their bullpen, allowing manager **Aaron Boone** to trust that the game will be in good hands when they need to shut the door late. Whether it’s a dominant closer or a high-leverage setup man, this kind of player would complement Holmes, King, and others, ensuring the Yankees can close out games with confidence in the season’s most crucial moments.
### The Trade Proposal: Stroman & Prospect for All-Star Reliever
Let’s imagine a trade scenario that would see the Yankees shipping Marcus Stroman along with a **top-tier prospect** to a team in need of starting pitching. In return, the Yankees would receive an All-Star-caliber reliever, someone who can come in during tight games and shut the door with his overpowering stuff.
#### The Teams Involved
The key to this trade lies in the fact that the Yankees would need to find a team with both a strong bullpen and a need for starting pitching. There are several teams in playoff contention that could fit this description, including teams in the National League and American League. Teams like the **Miami Marlins**, **San Francisco Giants**, and **San Diego Padres** could be among the contenders looking for a consistent, veteran starter like Stroman to help solidify their rotation.
Let’s focus on the **Miami Marlins**, a team with a solid bullpen but in need of an upgrade to their starting rotation. The Marlins have a promising group of young pitchers, but they are one or two veterans away from having a complete rotation. Stroman’s ability to go deep into games, his ground-ball-heavy approach, and his experience in the postseason make him an ideal fit for the Marlins.
On the other side, the **Yankees** would be targeting one of Miami’s elite relievers—someone like **Dylan Floro** or even **A.J. Puk**. Both Floro and Puk have been exceptional in the Marlins’ bullpen this season, providing both power and control. Puk, in particular, has been a revelation as a left-handed weapon who can pitch in high-leverage situations, and he’d fit perfectly as a key setup man or closer in New York’s bullpen.
### Why This Trade Works for Both Sides
#### For the Yankees
The Yankees are looking for immediate bullpen help, and this trade addresses that need. Stroman, while effective as a starter, is unlikely to be the difference-maker in a bullpen that has struggled to close out games. By moving Stroman, the Yankees can free up a spot in the rotation for one of their other pitchers (potentially **Deivi García** or **Jhony Brito**) and turn that asset into a proven reliever with a track record of success in high-pressure situations.
The Yankees also have the resources to make this trade happen. Their farm system is deep, and they have several top-tier prospects who could be included in the deal without completely depleting their future talent pool. **Clarke Schmidt**, **Ken Waldichuk**, and **Austin Wells** are just a few of the players who could potentially be moved in such a trade. This would allow the Yankees to get the bullpen help they need while still keeping their long-term prospects intact.
#### For the Marlins
For the Marlins, this trade gives them the chance to add a reliable, veteran starter to an already strong pitching staff. While the Marlins have a promising future, adding a pitcher like Stroman could help them make a serious run at a playoff spot in 2025. Stroman’s experience, both in the regular season and the postseason, would be invaluable to a team with a young but talented pitching staff.
From a prospect standpoint, the Marlins would also get a chance to bolster their future. The prospect that the Yankees send over could be a solid addition to the Marlins’ farm system, helping them further develop their depth for years to come. Miami’s front office has always been adept at making shrewd moves that balance short-term success with long-term growth, and adding an experienced starter like Stroman would complement that strategy perfectly.
### Conclusion
As the Yankees look to strengthen their roster in a highly competitive American League, making a bold move to bolster their bullpen seems like a logical step. By dealing Marcus Stroman and a top-tier prospect for an All-Star reliever, the Yankees could transform one of their biggest weaknesses into a strength and give themselves a much better chance of making a deep playoff run.
With a potent lineup and a solid starting rotation, it’s clear that the Yankees are only a few pieces away from becoming a championship contender once again. Adding an elite reliever could be just the move they need to push them over the top.
For the Marlins, acquiring a steady veteran like Stroman for their rotation would solidify their pitching staff and position them for a potential postseason push of their own. This trade would be a win-win for both teams as they seek to maximize their current windows of contention.