The New York Yankees’ recent acquisition of Paul Goldschmidt, signing him to a one-year, $12.5 million contract, has pushed their luxury tax salary allocation to a hefty $298.2 million, just shy of the $301 million threshold. This leaves general manager Brian Cashman with little room to maneuver financially, especially with several roster needs still unaddressed. To create the necessary flexibility for further moves, Cashman must look at ways to clear payroll space.
One of the most logical candidates for salary relief is Marcus Stroman, who is set to earn $18.5 million in 2025. Stroman’s performance has been somewhat inconsistent, making him a potential trade candidate. Furthermore, his contract includes a player option for 2026 that is triggered if he pitches more than 140 innings in 2025, which complicates his value. Trading Stroman would free up significant payroll space and allow the Yankees to address other roster gaps.
In the 2024 season, Stroman pitched 154.2 innings with a 4.31 ERA, his strikeouts per nine innings dipped to a career-low 6.58, and his left-on-base percentage was 73.9%. His ground-ball rate also decreased from 57.2% in 2023 to 49.2% in 2024. While teams seeking starting pitching depth might find Stroman appealing, the Yankees will need to find a trade partner willing to absorb his salary. To make a deal more attractive, the Yankees may need to include a prospect or take on a smaller contract in return.
Another option for freeing up salary is trading outfielder Trent Grisham, who is set to make $5 million in 2025. While this would not provide as much financial relief as moving Stroman, it would help the Yankees stay under the luxury tax threshold. However, moving Grisham would create a vacancy in the outfield, and the Yankees would need to either rely on internal options or make an additional move to fill the spot. Grisham’s strong defense and ability to cover multiple outfield positions make him a valuable asset, but his offensive inconsistencies might make him expendable if the Yankees need to reallocate resources elsewhere.
The Yankees still have several roster needs to address, particularly in the infield, where they are seeking a solution at second or third base. This could allow Jazz Chisholm to return to his natural position at second, but with limited free-agent options and a preference for avoiding long-term commitments, the Yankees are likely to explore the trade market for a solution. The team will be looking for controllable players on reasonable contracts, aiming to maximize value while staying under the luxury tax limit. Adding a solid, established infielder would improve both the lineup and the team’s defensive alignment, helping to make the Yankees more competitive.
To meet their roster needs while staying within financial constraints, the Yankees will need to make some strategic moves. Clearing salary through trades, particularly with players like Stroman or Grisham, will be crucial for Cashman to address the team’s remaining gaps. The coming weeks will be critical in shaping the Yankees’ roster for the 2025 season, and Cashman’s decisions will play a pivotal role in the team’s chances of contention.
