**Yankees 3-Player Trade Idea Would Bring $24 Million Starter to NY for Marcus Stroman**
As Major League Baseball heads into the offseason, trade rumors are already circulating, and teams are making early moves to strengthen their rosters for the next season. The New York Yankees, in particular, are facing a critical crossroads. After a disappointing 2023 season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time in several years, the Yankees’ front office is under pressure to improve the roster. The team’s pitching staff is one area that demands attention, and a bold trade idea has emerged that could bring a $24 million starter to New York—**Marcus Stroman**, the talented right-hander currently with the Chicago Cubs.
Stroman, who is set to earn $24 million in the final year of his contract, would provide a boost to the Yankees’ rotation. But the real intrigue lies in the proposed trade package that could make this deal a reality. The Yankees, looking to clear room for new additions and improve in key areas, are reportedly eyeing a deal that would send Stroman to the Bronx. In exchange, the Cubs would receive three players from New York, who could help bolster Chicago’s own rebuild efforts.
Let’s take a closer look at this potential trade, the players involved, and why this deal might make sense for both sides.
### The Yankees’ Need for a Starter
The Yankees’ pitching staff was one of the main reasons they fell short of expectations in 2023. While ace **Gerrit Cole** remained one of the best pitchers in the league, the rest of the rotation lacked consistency and depth. The team struggled to find a reliable No. 2 starter behind Cole, and injuries only compounded the issue. The Yankees’ starting rotation, once one of their greatest strengths, was exposed in a year when their offense couldn’t carry the load.
In particular, the Yankees need a pitcher who can provide innings and stability in the middle of their rotation. They also need someone who can keep the ball in the park and limit damage, a trait that Stroman has been known for during his career. Adding a durable and effective pitcher like Stroman would help solidify the Yankees’ rotation and give them a reliable arm to pair with Cole at the top.
### Marcus Stroman: A Reliable and Effective Starter
Stroman, 32, has had a strong career as a middle-of-the-rotation starter. Over the past few years, he has consistently provided teams with quality innings and effective pitching. His 2023 season was another solid one for the Cubs, as he posted a 3.66 ERA in 32 starts, with 138 strikeouts in 178 innings. Stroman’s ability to induce ground balls (he ranks among the top pitchers in the league in ground ball rate) and limit home runs is a major asset, especially in Yankee Stadium, where the short porch in right field can turn fly balls into home runs for right-handed hitters.
One of Stroman’s defining characteristics is his ability to navigate high-pressure situations. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he has excellent command and control. He’s a strike-thrower who relies on his movement and craftiness to get outs, making him a good fit for a team like the Yankees, who need reliable pitchers to pitch deep into games and avoid the bullpen overuse that plagued them in 2023.
Moreover, Stroman is an outspoken and passionate player, a quality that could inject some much-needed energy and leadership into the Yankees’ clubhouse. His experience in New York (having played with the Mets for part of the 2019 and 2020 seasons) could also be a major asset in terms of adjusting to the pressures of playing in the Big Apple once again.
### The Yankees’ Trade Package: Who Could Be Involved?
In order to land Stroman, the Yankees would likely have to part with several key players, and this proposed three-player trade package reflects that need. The idea is that the Cubs would receive three players from the Yankees’ system, each with potential value to help bolster the Cubs’ future.
Here’s a breakdown of the potential trade package and what each player brings to the table:
#### 1. **Domingo Germán (SP)**
Domingo Germán, who has spent several seasons with the Yankees, would likely be the centerpiece of this trade. Germán showed flashes of brilliance in 2023, including a no-hitter against the Oakland Athletics, but he was also inconsistent at times. His 4.56 ERA in 2023 doesn’t tell the full story—he had moments of dominance but also struggled with command and long ball issues.
For the Cubs, Germán would provide a potential reclamation project. With his ability to miss bats (9.4 strikeouts per 9 innings in 2023) and his power stuff, Germán could thrive in a new environment with a change of scenery and better coaching. Chicago has shown a willingness to take on pitchers with high upside in recent years, and Germán fits that mold.
While Germán is under team control for one more season (he is arbitration-eligible), his upside would make him an appealing piece for the Cubs as they continue their rebuild. If he can find more consistency, he could become a valuable trade chip for Chicago down the road.
#### 2. **Clarke Schmidt (SP/RP)**
Clarke Schmidt, another right-handed pitcher, would also be included in the deal. Schmidt was one of the Yankees’ more promising young pitchers, but he had an up-and-down 2023 season. He posted a 4.62 ERA in 32 games (including 16 starts) and showed flashes of potential, particularly with his ability to generate strikeouts (8.9 strikeouts per 9 innings).
Schmidt could provide the Cubs with a versatile arm who can be used as both a starter and a reliever. If Chicago decides to slot him into the bullpen, he could become a high-leverage option with his ability to generate swings and misses. If they prefer to keep him in the rotation, Schmidt’s stuff—especially his slider and curveball—suggests that he has the potential to develop into a solid mid-rotation starter with more experience.
For the Yankees, moving Schmidt would be a tough decision, but it would be necessary to land Stroman. Schmidt has shown promise, but his inconsistency and lack of a true standout pitch make him more of a gamble than a sure thing. Still, the Cubs could see value in continuing his development in a different system.
#### 3. **Oswald Peraza (IF)**
The final piece of the trade package would likely be **Oswald Peraza**, a top infield prospect who has already seen some time with the Yankees in the majors. Peraza is known for his excellent defensive abilities and speed, but his bat has been a work in progress. However, his potential as an everyday shortstop is high, and the Cubs could view him as a potential long-term building block in the infield.
Peraza’s inclusion in this trade would be one of the key factors that sweetens the deal for the Cubs. Chicago is in need of young, controllable talent at the shortstop position, and Peraza fits that need. With **Nico Hoerner** already entrenched at second base, Peraza could compete with **Dansby Swanson** for the starting shortstop role or provide organizational depth in the near future. His speed and glove would fit well in a Cubs team that prides itself on developing up-the-middle talent.
### Why the Trade Makes Sense for Both Teams
For the Yankees, this trade is all about bolstering their rotation and bringing in a steady veteran presence in Marcus Stroman. With **Gerrit Cole** at the top of the rotation, the Yankees need a reliable No. 2 starter to complement him, and Stroman fits that bill. The Yankees also get a chance to clear out some younger arms who have shown potential but have not consistently delivered at the major league level. By acquiring Stroman, the Yankees improve their pitching staff and give themselves a better chance to contend in 2024.
For the Cubs, this trade helps to accelerate their rebuild by adding three players who can contribute to their future success. Germán and Schmidt are both relatively young pitchers with upside, while Peraza is a potential starting shortstop or utility player. The Cubs continue to stockpile talent while taking on Stroman’s contract, which expires after 2024. If Stroman performs well in 2024, Chicago could even flip him at the trade deadline for more prospects, further benefiting their rebuild.
### Conclusion
This proposed trade—Marcus Stroman to the Yankees for Domingo Germán, Clarke Schmidt, and Oswald Peraza—addresses key needs for both teams and could set them on a trajectory toward success in 2024 and beyond. For the Yankees, it provides a much-needed boost to the rotation, while the Cubs continue to build for the future with a mix of young pitchers and a promising infield prospect. If both teams make this move, it could be one of the most impactful trades of the offseason, shaping their respective futures for years to come.