The New York Yankees are reportedly looking to trade Marcus Stroman, and a potential deal would see them re-acquire infielder Josh Smith from the Texas Rangers to fill a gap in the infield. The Yankees are in need of a second or third baseman, depending on Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s position, and this trade would address that need. According to Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, the proposed trade involves Stroman heading to Texas, with the Yankees receiving Smith, along with a minor league catcher/first baseman prospect, Rafael Flores, and some cash.
In this trade, New York would move on from Stroman’s contract while filling their infield void. The Rangers, on the other hand, would gain pitching depth and a prospect for Smith, who could serve as a utility player. Smith, originally drafted by the Yankees in 2019, was traded to Texas in 2021 as part of the deal for Joey Gallo. He debuted in the MLB in 2022 and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2024, contributing to the Rangers’ World Series title in 2023. Last season, Smith posted a .258 batting average with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs, and he could potentially play third base for the Yankees.
Stroman, meanwhile, is in the second year of a two-year, $37 million deal, but he struggled in 2023 with a 10-9 record and a 4.31 ERA. He did not appear in the playoffs, being left off the roster. Flores, the prospect involved, is a catcher/first baseman who hit .274 with 15 home runs and 33 RBIs in 65 games in AA last season.
Reuter explains that the trade could work well for both teams. He notes that Smith would have the opportunity to be the everyday third baseman for the Yankees, while the Rangers are in need of pitching depth, which Stroman could provide. Reuter also mentions that trading Smith might make sense for Texas since he’s expected to return to a utility role with the return of Josh Jung from injury.
The Yankees have been attempting to trade Stroman since they signed Max Fried, and they are reportedly willing to pay down part of his $18 million salary to facilitate the deal, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman. Stroman, a two-time All-Star, has had an up-and-down tenure with New York and is no longer a key piece in their pitching rotation, which now includes Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, and Clarke Schmidt.
