Has free agent Marcus Stroman thrown his last pitch in Major League Baseball?
Photo credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Since his release from the Yankees at last years trade deadline, Marcus Stroman has been available to all 29 teams for five months, but still remains a free agent.
Former Toronto Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman's time with the New York Yankees was an abject disaster.
Signed to a two-year, $37 million deal during the 2024-25 offseason, Stroman was brought in to stabilize the middle of the rotation. Instead, his tenure in pinstripes never lived up to expectations.
In his first season with New York, Stroman struggled to provide consistent results. Over 154.2 innings, he posted a 4.31 ERA and a 1.468 WHIP, striking out 113 batters while issuing 60 walks.
He appeared in 30 games, including 29 starts, during the 2024 campaign.
While the production fell short of what the Yankees envisioned for the contract, he at least managed to function as a serviceable back-end starter.
Everything fell apart in 2025. Stroman reported late to spring training and immediately made headlines by publicly declaring himself a starter, insisting he would not pitch out of the bullpen.
Injuries soon followed, as left knee inflammation sidelined him for more than three months. When he did take the mound, the results were disastrous.
In 39 innings, Stroman posted a 6.23 ERA and a 1.538 WHIP, striking out just 26 batters while walking 16.
The Yankees ultimately ultimately released him on Aug. 1. Around Major League Baseball, Stroman has long been viewed as a polarizing figure.
Some see him as overly confident, cocky or confrontational, while others argue he is simply an ultra-competitive player who demands the best from himself.
Regardless of perception, his on-field struggles and off-field controversies have seemingly cost him another opportunity.
Since being released five months ago, Stroman has not received another offer at the major league level
That possibility was highlighted FanSided's Jake Elman, who listed Stroman among four former Yankees unlikely to appear in another MLB game.
«Of every player on this list, we acknowledge that Stroman likely has the best chance to at least earn a Minor League contract this winter, but that isn't saying much,» Elman wrote.
«There likely isn't much of a market for a 34-year-old pitcher who publicly resisted moving to the bullpen and who has a history of confronting fans. Stroman notably accused the Mets' front office of ignoring death threats he claimed he received during his 2½ seasons in Queens.
«The fact that no teams even signed Stroman to a Minor League deal following his Aug. 1 release is a major red flag. Remember, the deadline for playoff eligibility wasn't until Sept. 1, meaning teams had a whole month to bring Stroman in as depth.»
If Stroman never pitches another inning in Major League Baseball, it would feel like an abrupt and disappointing ending to an otherwise accomplished career.
Now 34 years old with a career ERA of 3.79, he has done enough over more than a decade to warrant at least one more opportunity.
Whether that chance ever comes remains uncertain. At the very least, Stroman can take some solace in having surpassed 10 years of MLB service time, a milestone few players ever reach.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 25|78 ANSWERS Has free agent Marcus Stroman thrown his last pitch in Major League Baseball? Do you think this is it for Marcus Stroman? | ||
| Yes | 55 | 70.5 % |
| No | 12 | 15.4 % |
| Too early to tell | 11 | 14.1 % |
| List of polls | ||