The New York Yankees are looking for a salary dump ahead of acquiring more infielder depth.
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic reported that the Yankees are hoping to “clear money to acquire an infielder” but that the new player will not ba “a particularly high-priced one.”
This news comes amidst rumors about the availability of pitcher Marcus Stroman on the trade market. He is under contract through 2025 with a vesting option for 2026.
Mark Sanchez of the New York Post reported that one infielder the Yankees have “checked-in on” is former Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco. He is a free agent and previously played on a five-year, $25.7 million contract.
The Yankees went 94-68 and won the AL Pennant. However, they lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers and have had a tumultuous offseason. It started when star outfielder Juan Soto signed with the cross-town rival New York Mets on a historic 15-year, $765 million contract.
Since then, the Yankees have signed left-handed starter Max Fried, first baseman and former NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt and also traded for star closer Devin Williams and outfielder Cody Bellinger in seperate deals. The team also re-signed ace Gerrit Cole and has a strong rotation that makes Stroman expendable.
Stroman went 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 154.2 innings in 2024. He did not pitch in the postseason but could filter in as a middle-of-rotation starter for another team.
Moving Stroman for an infielder of similar caliber could be intriguing but also dumping his salary to pursue a player like Polanco would help the Yankees prepare to make another run in 2025.
