The New York Yankees have spent the majority of the winter trying to figure out what, exactly, to do with Marcus Stroman. Owed $18 million this season and potentially $18 million next year if his player option vests at 140 innings, he’s an overqualified No. 6 starter in the current rotation, and has no intention of moving to the bullpen. In a way, he’s like the anti-Rafael Devers: perfectly talented in his current role, but squeezed out anyhow.

Stroman, if he stays in the Bronx, will get starts. Undoubtedly. No rotation goes 1-through-5 all year long. Clarke Schmidt’s back is already cranky. Still, $18 million is a lot to pay for depth (both this year and potentially next), and the Yankees would probably rather allocate that money elsewhere/use Will Warren on the Scranton Coaster.

The Yankees and Stroman have both made their preferences clear. Now, with ramp-up in progress ahead of the spring training opener on Friday, Aaron Boone is going to give the right-hander a chance to state his case – to whoever’s watching.

With all eyes on the bump, Stroman has been given the nod to start the Yankees’ first spring game of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays, their new roommates. Hopefully, New York puts their best defensive alignment behind the grounder- inducing righty.

Marcus Stroman will start the Yankees’ spring opener on Friday vs. Rays, Aaron Boone said.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) February 19, 2025

Yankees giving Marcus Stroman a showcase in spring training opener vs. Rays

Stroman struggled down the stretch in 2024 (5.98 ERA in 49 2/3 second-half innings) and was ultimately left off the World Series roster. He also struggled to tame Yankee Stadium, finishing with a 5.31 home ERA. Still, he certainly gave other interested parties enough reason to chase him, from his 3.09 road ERA to his 1.67 mark in six May starts with a .191 batting average against. There’s a reason Brian Cashman admitted the Yankees’ infield defense “let him down” in 2024; all that shuffling and playing people out of position certainly inflated his ERA at a difficult time.

Hopefully, starting with Friday’s showcase, the Yankees get to see a little more of “Vintage Stro” this spring, whether he ultimately helps out as an insurance policy in the Bronx or elsewhere.