It’s not that the Yankees aren’t allowed to trade No. 6 starter Marcus Stroman after Feb. 11. It’s only that Tuesday marks the point where things are about to become even more uncomfortable with every unresolved moment that passes.
Stroman wiped his Instagram, turned himself into a horse, and unfollowed the Yankees long before the rest of the baseball world seemed to notice; the story went viral a week ago, but the action occurred in mid-January. The right-hander was let down by the defense behind him last year, as Brian Cashman noted on YES Hot Stove last week, and would be a valuable depth starter if the Yankees opted to keep him (or were forced into it).
It takes two to tango, though. Stroman may not want to sit out of the projected five-man rotation — scratch that, delete the “may” and replace it with a “does”. His actions speak louder than his silence here. Even Cashman spoke about letting him down in a telling past tense.
While New York could keep him, they’ve gone above and beyond to telegraph their interest in doing the opposite. Stroman has been just as blatant in expressing his desire to leave. And today’s the day — Feb. 11, a sun-shining Tuesday — when the right-hander is supposed to report to Yankees camp. If forced to do so, along with the rest of the Yankees’ pitchers and catchers, he’ll likely do so unhappily, starting the season off on a sour note.
Though the St. Louis Cardinals likely have a little more time to operate with, and a Nolan Arenado trade may not manifest itself until after Alex Bregman has relented and chosen a team … there may be no better time than the present for the two sides to reevaluate those old “Stroman and a prospect for Arenado” talks that may or may not have happened back in December.
Yankees’ ticking clock on non-awkward Marcus Stroman trade expires as pitchers and catchers report to spring training
Arenado, at the moment, is resting comfortably at home, though his watchful eyes are certainly on Palm Beach. He doesn’t intend to be where he’s not wanted until the exact second he’s required to be.
For Stroman, that day is Tuesday. While Arenado would be an imperfect solution to the Yankees’ infield mix — an odd ballpark fit, a balky back, Gold Glove defense that will probably match his offensive regression soon enough — having him man the hot corner sounds like a better idea than forcing Stroman to do a job he has no interest in.
Today’s the day. And, if it’s not, then it really should’ve been.
