Having too many starting pitchers is a dilemma that every MLB team would love to face, but it remains a problem nonetheless. This offseason, the Atlanta Braves are not dealing with an overabundance of pitching options. After losing starters Max Fried and Charlie Morton to free agency, the Braves are left with a hole in their rotation. To address this, they could look to target a pitcher who may be on the outs in a crowded rotation. Zach Pressnell of Newsweek suggested that the New York Yankees, with their surplus of arms, might have a pitcher that could fit the Braves’ needs: Marcus Stroman.
Pressnell highlighted that while the Braves have some promising pitching prospects, they are in dire need of a proven major-league arm. A potential trade could involve sending a few fringe top-30 prospects to the Yankees in exchange for Stroman. This deal would benefit the Yankees by clearing Stroman’s salary from their books, while providing the Braves with a veteran pitcher who could stabilize their rotation.
Stroman is entering the second year of a 2-year, $37 million contract, with an additional $18.33 million vesting option for the 2026 season. This contract could be more than what the Braves are willing to commit to for a starting pitcher, considering Morton’s one-year, $15 million deal with the Orioles. The circumstances surrounding Morton’s departure remain unclear, but it seems the Braves either didn’t want him back or were looking for a less expensive option, as he earned $20 million from the Braves in 2024.
Despite the contract concerns, Stroman could still be a valuable addition to the Braves’ pitching staff. Last season, he posted a 10-9 record with a 4.31 ERA. His strikeout numbers (113) were solid, though his 1.468 WHIP in 154.2 innings may not stand out as impressive. These statistics help explain why Stroman might not be a lock in the Yankees’ rotation. However, what makes Stroman appealing to the Braves is his reliability as an “innings eater.” He has pitched at least 135 innings in each of the past four seasons, which is crucial for a Braves team that has lost more than 320 innings with the departures of Fried and Morton.
Stroman brings a wealth of MLB experience, with over a decade of service in the league. Excluding the 2020 COVID-shortened season, he has made at least 19 starts each year since 2015. Over 261 career MLB appearances, Stroman holds an 87-85 record with a 3.72 ERA, and he was named an MLB All-Star in both 2019 and 2023. He also brings postseason experience, having last pitched in the playoffs in 2016. For the Braves, adding a durable, veteran arm like Stroman could help them fill the gap in their rotation and provide some much-needed stability for the upcoming season.
