Marcus Stroman ready to feel the ‘energy and buzz’ from Yankee fans
After missing out on Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, many expected the Yankees to pivot elsewhere to help fill out their starting rotation, and they did just that by signing right-hander Marcus Stroman to a two-year deal.
While Stroman doesn’t quite possess the upside the 25-year-old Yamamoto brings, he should be a nice fit behind Gerrit Cole toward the top of New York’s rotation.
The veteran offered some high praise of the group general manager Brian Cashman has pieced together while speaking with reporters for the first time as a Yankee.
“I think we have one of the better staffs out there,” Stroman said via Zoom. “I’m looking forward to learning from guys like Gerrit Cole, who has been one of the greats in the game, [Carlos] Rodon who has been elite for years, Nestor [Cortes] is a guy who messes around with timing, and Clarke Schmidt is guy who has a ton of upside and incredible stuff.”
Stroman spent the first six years of his career with the Toronto Blue Jays before being traded to the Mets ahead of the 2019 deadline. He stayed in Queens for two and a half years, then signed with the Chicago Cubs, where he played each of the past two seasons.
After opting out of his deal this offseason, the Long Island native landed in the Bronx, where he gets another opportunity to pitch in front of his hometown fans.
“I grew up going to Yankee games, so to be able to put on the pinstripes, that’s something we all dream about as a kid. I’m excited to feel the energy and the buzz from Yankee fans,” he said.
“Sometimes when you have those moments in that city with that buzz, energy, and pressure it brings out a different animal, so I’m excited about that possibility. My start days are something that I’m getting chills thinking about looking forward to.”
Stroman is coming off a season in which he made his second All-Star appearance after putting together a career-best first-half with a 2.96 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 112 innings of work. The 32-year-old battled injuries after that and he made just six more starts the rest of the season.
Despite the frustrating finish to the campaign, the crafty righty is feeling good heading into this season.
“I do think the best is still in me,” Stroman said. “I battled a few injuries at the end of last year, but in the beginning of last year I was one of the best pitchers in baseball. When I’m healthy I’ll put myself up there with one of the best pitchers in baseball.
“I feel healthy, I’m ready to go, my body is in the best position it’s been and I’m just excited to get go out there and compete.”
