‘He Would Be in Our Bullpen’ — When Brian Cashman Declared Marcus Stroman Wasn’t Worthy of Being Yankees Starter

Marcus Stroman was in the focus of trade deadline rumors in 2019. One of the most talked-about names was the right-hander for the Toronto Blue Jays, who is renowned for his swagger.

Due to their rotational unreliability and injuries, the New York Yankees were predicted to be included in those discussions. However, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made it apparent that they had no interest, and his justification was questioned.

 Marcus Stroman Takes Yankees’ Slight to Heart

“We felt he would be in our bullpen in the postseason,” Cashman famously said when asked why the Yankees passed on Stroman. The quote signaled the Yankees’ belief that Stroman, despite his 2.96 ERA over 21 starts at the time, wasn’t a fit as a top-tier starter in their system.

Instead, the Blue Jays traded Stroman to the crosstown Mets, and the Yankees stood pat, ultimately watching their own rotation collapse in the postseason without reinforcements.

Stroman didn’t take the slight lightly. Always confident and unapologetically vocal, he took to social media to respond, standing behind his record and challenging the idea that he wasn’t starter material. He later told reporters that the Yankees had “doubled down on ignorance,” and made it clear he would never forget the dismissal.

Straight cash homie. 🤷🏾‍♂️ #HDMH pic.twitter.com/Lof6HWaZk6

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) September 24, 2019

Stroman Joins Yankees in 2024

In 2024, Stroman was finally wearing the Yankees’ pinstripes. He made 29 starts for the Bronx Bombers during the regular season, striking out 113 batters while recording a 10–9 record and a 4.31 ERA. Despite his lack of dominance, Stroman made a significant contribution during a season when the Yankees were in dire need of innings and consistency.

Once seen as a possible issue in the Yankees’ stuffy clubhouse, his edge and energy became a part of the team’s culture. Yet just as Stroman’s story appeared to reach redemption, 2025 has offered a new challenge.

Stroman has gotten off to a terrible start over his first three trips to the mound. He’s fashioned a startling 11.57 ERA and a 2.04 WHIP alongside an 0-1 record. In addition to having trouble allowing heavy contact and with his command, he has only struck out seven hitters.

Shortly before a Saturday game against the San Francisco Giants, Stroman was placed on the Yankees’ 15-day injured list on April 12 due to discomfort in his left knee. Both Stroman and the Yankees, who rely on him to steady the middle of their rotation, took an early hit.

For Stroman, the journey from trade-deadline snub to Yankees starter has come full circle. But baseball, as always, has a way of humbling even the most resilient. As he recovers and looks to rebound later this season, the Yankees, and Stroman himself, are hoping there’s another chapter still to be written.