“Yankees Reporter Assesses Roster Decisions and Playoff Potential for Star Pitcher”
As they enter today’s MLB games, the Yankees are facing a tough battle. They are not only striving to secure the top spot in the American League playoffs but also to outperform the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East championship. This demonstrates the high level of competition in the AL, where New York could potentially win nearly 100 games and still have to settle for a Wild Card spot.
The manner in which the Yankees begin the postseason could significantly impact how they compose their roster for the initial series. This is a topic that was addressed by The Athletic’s Yanks reporter, Chris Kirshner, in an article published on Wednesday. According to Kirshner, the team’s management will face difficult choices, particularly in relation to their pitching staff.
The Yankees reporter indicates that Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes, Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Jake Cousins, Tim Hill, Luke Weaver, and Ian Hamilton are considered sure bets to secure roster spots. However, there is uncertainty surrounding the inclusion of Marcus Stroman, Mark Leiter Jr., Cody Poteet, Scott Effross, Lou Trivino, Ron Marinaccio, and Clayton Beeter.
Marcus Stroman’s contract details: He signed a two-year deal worth $37 million.
Should the Yankees struggle in the final stretch and find themselves in a Wild Card series, the reporter suggests that Marcus Stroman will likely make the roster. Conversely, if they commence the 2024 MLB playoffs in the Division Series and require only three starting pitchers, the player who was signed to a $37 million deal in the offseason could potentially be left off the roster. The reporter presented arguments supporting this scenario.
The following analysis explains why Marcus Stroman may not be a suitable choice for the Division Series bullpen. While Kirshner acknowledges that Stroman is among the top pitchers on the Yankees’ roster, his recent performance raises concerns about his postseason reliability.