Yankees Blockbuster Trade Proposal Would Bring $154 Million All-Star to New York

The New York Yankees’ offseason has been highlighted by the additions of Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams and Paul Goldschmidt. However, after letting Gleyber Torres walk in free agency, they could look to add an infielder.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Yankees are “actively trying to deal” Marcus Stroman. They could use him to potentially bring in some infield help as well. Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer proposed this trade that not only dumps Stroman but also brings Luis Arráez from the San Diego Padres to the Bronx:

Yankees receive: second baseman Luis Arráez Padres receive:

right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman, right-handed pitcher Will Warren (No. 5 prospect) and cash

Stroman signed a two-year, $37 million deal last winter. He has an $18 million vesting option for 2026 as well. He failed to maintain the success he had during his All-Star campaign in 2023. Trading him should be high on the Yankees’ priority list. In this proposal, the Yankees would have to pay some of Stroman’s salary and include a top five prospect in order to convince the Padres to give up Arráez.

Arráez will be a free agent after the season and the Padres could be open to trading him if they feel he will walk in free agency. Spotrac projects him to sign a nine-year, $154 million deal in free agency.

The Yankees could afford to pay Arráez if they view him as a long-term option. Defensively, he is a below-average player at second base. However, his ability at the plate makes his poor defense tolerable.

He has a minus-33 outs above average at second base in his career. He is a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and three-time batting champion.

Trade Pitch Has Yankees Dealing Stroman & Rice to Rival for Torres Replacement

The New York Yankees have a need at second base after Gleyber Torres signed with the Detroit Tigers in free agency.

With the Yankees still not addressing their infield hole, MLB insider Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report proposed a deal that would see the Yankees acquiring Davis Schneider from the Toronto Blue Jays.

The proposed deal would be interesting as Toronto would reunite with Stroman while also getting a bench bat and cash for Schneider who doesn’t have a definitive role with the team in 2025.

Schneider is a fan-favorite for the Blue Jays, but he struggled in 2024 after a stellar 2023. In 2024, Schneider hit .191 with 13 home runs and 46 RBIs and became a bench bat. Entering 2025, he doesn’t have a clear path to playing time, so with the Yankees, he could start at second base and also add insurance in left field.

The big part of the return from the Yankees to Toronto would be Stroman. The Blue Jays have a need at starting pitching and Stroman can be the team’s fifth starter. Stroman has one year left on his two-year $37 million deal. He went 10-9 with a 4.31 ERA in 29 starts but was left off the playoff roster and is likely to be dealt.