The Yankees’ investigation into Marcus Stroman’s background yielded an unexpected result.
In 2004, the New York Yankees took a chance on signing Gary Sheffield, a free agent known for his talent but also for being a potentially disruptive and angry presence in the clubhouse. Despite widespread warnings about Sheffield’s behavior, George Steinbrenner, the team’s owner, chose to overlook the negative reports, trusting his instincts that Sheffield would be a good fit for the team.
Steinbrenner’s intuition proved correct. Sheffield, driven by a strong desire to be a part of the Yankees, delivered two impressive seasons in the Bronx, hitting a total of 70 home runs and maintaining a .290 batting average. Despite his reputation, Sheffield did not pose any issues for Yankees’ manager Joe Torre.
Sheffield endeared himself to his teammates by taking a stand against Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez. In a memorable incident in the Stadium parking lot, Sheffield confronted Martinez after the pitcher had thrown inside to multiple Yankees players during a game, including Sheffield himself. Expressing his displeasure, Sheffield warned Martinez not to repeat such actions. The confrontation resonated with the Yankees, and they developed a deep respect for Sheffield, viewing his confrontation with their arch-enemy Martinez as a significant rite of passage.
Digging deeper into Marcus Stroman’s background, Hal Steinbrenner, George’s son and the current head of the Yankees, chose to disregard the negative information. Similar to Gary Sheffield two decades ago, Stroman harbored a strong desire to play for the Yankees, having awaited this opportunity throughout his entire career.
Despite tempting offers from the Angels and Giants, Stroman, a Long Island native familiar with the New York atmosphere, turned them down. It is believed that he even accepted a smaller contract to join the Yankees, emphasizing his commitment to wearing the pinstripes and playing alongside stars like Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole.
Although the Yankees urgently needed another starting pitcher, they only pursued Stroman seriously after conducting a thorough background check. Industry reports portrayed Stroman’s rebellious nature and highlighted his past feud with GM Brian Cashman in 2019. However, everyone acknowledged the right-hander’s competitive spirit.
The Yankees went beyond external opinions, reaching out to Stroman’s father, Earl, a detective in the Suffolk County police department. They also involved Judge, Cole, and manager Aaron Boone to both promote the benefits of being a Yankee and assess Stroman’s maturity. Someone involved in the process believes that Stroman has matured from his more volatile days.
Approaching his 33rd birthday in May, Stroman, like any veteran without a championship ring, prioritizes reaching the World Series. He sees the Yankees as offering a clearer path to this goal compared to the Angels or Giants. The team is cautiously optimistic that they made the right decision, hoping Stroman will integrate well with Boone, similar to how Sheffield did with Torre.
In contrast to failed pursuits like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who unexpectedly chose the Dodgers, the Yankees believe Stroman’s assimilation into the team should be smoother. Unlike Josh Donaldson and Joey Gallo, who were acquired through trades and had behavioral issues, Stroman actively chose to be a Yankee, making his case distinct.
As a free agent, Marcus Stroman is keenly aware of the challenges associated with joining the New York Yankees. He acknowledges the mounting impatience of a fanbase that has endured a 14-year championship drought, the demands of result-oriented supporters, the scrutiny from the media, and the pressure that accompanies playing in the highly competitive American League East.
While Stroman may not single-handedly reverse the fortunes of the Yankees’ 82-win season from the previous year, he is positioned to significantly strengthen a pitching rotation grappling with uncertainties. With Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon securing the top two slots, Stroman is anticipated to assume the third spot, contributing to a valuable righty-lefty-righty pitching dynamic that will pose challenges for opposing teams.
Stroman’s potential should not be underestimated. If he maintains good health and his distinctive sinker proves effective, he has the capacity to outperform any Yankees starter, with the exception of Cole. Should Stroman’s mindset align favorably, he could emerge as the pivotal difference-maker, propelling the Yankees into the playoffs.
