The New York Yankees are currently stocked with starting pitching, which has led many to anticipate a potential trade before the season kicks off. Zach Pressnell of FanSided proposed a possible deal between the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves, in which New York would trade right-handed starter Marcus Stroman along with cash to help offset his salary, in exchange for Braves pitching prospect Cade Kuehler.
Stroman, who was signed by the Yankees to a two-year, $37 million contract prior to last season, had previously come off a strong All-Star season with the Chicago Cubs, making his return to his home state. Initially, his first few months with the Yankees were promising, with a 2.60 ERA and the team winning 8 of his first 12 starts. However, after May, his performance took a noticeable decline. From June onward, Stroman’s ERA ballooned to 5.70 in the final 18 games, although the Yankees still managed a winning record of 10-8 in those games.
This decline, along with the fact that Stroman did not make an appearance during the playoffs, suggested his future with the team was uncertain. In December, the Yankees strengthened their pitching rotation even further by signing Max Fried to a significant contract, despite already having five starters in place. This move left Stroman as the odd man out, especially considering his age, contract situation, and inconsistent performance.
Given that the 33-year-old Stroman is now seen as somewhat expendable, the idea of bringing in the 22-year-old Kuehler presents a solid opportunity for the Yankees. Kuehler, selected in the second round of the 2023 MLB draft out of Campbell University, is a promising pitching prospect with a well-rounded arsenal, including a strong fastball. He is currently ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the Braves’ farm system. Last season, Kuehler impressed in Single-A, posting a 2.52 ERA over 50 innings across 11 starts. While his stint in High-A was less successful, allowing eight runs over three innings, his overall performance at Single-A showed potential.
Although Kuehler may take time to develop, he has the upside of becoming a solid back-end starter in the future. For the Yankees, acquiring him would be a reasonable return for a pitcher like Stroman, who no longer fits into their rotation plans. However, the Yankees may need to balance their pitching depth, as they already have a surplus of right-handed talent in their minor league system. Still, trading Stroman for a prospect like Kuehler could be a wise move if the team is looking to strengthen other areas of need down the road.
