Yankees sign Marcus Stroman: Community Poll

Well, it’s a real starting pitcher.

After Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed his massive contract with the Dodgers to join Shohei Ohtani in Los Angeles, the Yankees have been in a bit of a waiting game. The starting pitching market is full of pitchers capable of making an impact, but who have undeniable flaws. Jordan Montgomery is a consistent innings eater, but lacks elite upside. Blake Snell has two Cy Youngs to his name, but sandwiched between them a quartet of years best described as “meh.” Marcus Stroman has put together strong numbers with the Blue Jays, Mets, and Cubs, but he hasn’t been a workhorse since 2017 and has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way on social media over the years.

Over the last couple of days, the rumor mill had ramped up, as it became clear that the Yankees were eager to add a veteran starter before they lost their chance. Yesterday afternoon, reports surfaced that Blake Snell had rejected a five-year, $150 million offer from the Yankees. Soon after, on the YES Hot Stove, Jack Curry indicated that the Yankees’ interest in Stroman was serious.

Just a few hours later, Stroman gradually posted these on his Instagram:

The Pinstripe Alley comment section immediately lit up with the news, with…calm, composed takes about the fact that the team needed a veteran arm, but that Stroman alone isn’t enough.

Look, I’m surprised as you all! The comments section below major news like this is usually filled with hot takes, strong opinions, and GIFs. While I do miss the GIFs, the teacher part of me is very thrilled to see nice, intelligent conversation that only went off topic once — although the fact that the tangent was about Juan Soto and the Mets owner knocks a few points off the metaphorical grade. But even that tangent had intelligent comments about the relationship between the two organizations, which isn’t as hostile behind the scenes as the fanbase likes to pretend.

Once the baseball conversation ran its course, the major concern most of us have with the Stroman signing — his personality — came to the forefront.

As is our tradition here at Pinstripe Alley, now that we’ve had a chance to sleep over the deal, I turn the question back to you: What do you think of the Marcus Stroman signing?

Vote in our poll, and let us know in the comments section below!