TAMPA — Aaron Boone no less than acknowledged that the scenario has the potential to be “awkward” this spring for Marcus Stroman.
However with the Yankees veteran getting into camp as a commerce candidate and the possible odd man out of the rotation if the highest 5 starters keep wholesome, Stroman had a dialog with Boone on Tuesday morning that the supervisor left feeling good about.
“I’m more than comfortable with the conversation I had with Marcus today and where his mental preparation is, where I think he is physically,” Boone mentioned Tuesday after pitchers and catchers reported to George M. Steinbrenner Area. “We’re in a great spot. He definitely understands the scenario. I’m positive he’s heard a few of the issues this winter. You’ll be able to’t management the whole lot. … Going on the market and doing all of your job at a excessive stage has a approach of quieting a few of these issues.
“The bottom line is we’re getting him ready to pitch.”
Left unsaid was the place or in what function Stroman might be pitching, although it might take just one harm to a member of the Yankees rotation for the right-hander to turn out to be an essential issue once more.
Boone mentioned Stroman didn’t ask him what his function could be this yr, however the supervisor’s message was basically to let issues work themselves out.
“The situation is what it is,” Boone mentioned. “We have now a number of guys that you’d count on to be beginning pitchers within the massive leagues, Marcus being a kind of. … The cream rises to the highest and I really feel prefer it’ll work itself out. However proper now, it’s about getting him able to go to be an actual contributor.
“It’s maybe a little bit of an awkward situation, just with all the noise around it this winter, but I’m comfortable with where he is in his focus and physical preparation coming in.”
A yr after signing with the Yankees, Stroman is ready to make $18 million this season and can set off an $18.3 million choice for subsequent yr if he pitches 140 innings.
Transferring his wage — or no less than a part of it — may enable the Yankees to get beneath the best luxurious tax threshold (which they’re presently projected to exceed by about $4 million), however up to now they’ve but to discover a taker for him.
Within the meantime, Stroman arrived at camp on Tuesday coming off a season during which he posted a 4.31 ERA throughout 154 ²/₃ innings — although he had a 5.97 ERA over his closing 14 outings, which bounced him to the bullpen by September and left him out of motion within the postseason.
“The biggest thing right now is making sure we’re getting Marcus ready to roll,” Boone mentioned, “and hopefully play a big role for us.”
