Marcus Stroman, a former Chicago Cubs All-Star, and the New York Yankees finalised a two-year, $37 million deal on Tuesday. If Stroman pitches at least 140 innings in 2025, the deal contains a conditional player option for 2026.

The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels were among the other teams who made offers to the outstanding right-hander. The 32-year-old decided to return to his native state rather than pursue his skills on the West Coast. Medford, New York is where Stroman was raised.

He’s not the only notable free agent who turned down the chance to suit up for the Giants and Angels.

Stars like Trea Turner, Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Shohei Ohtani have all been connected to the Giants in recent years, but the team has struggled in free agency.

Third baseman Anthony Rendon of the Angels stated on the Jack Vita Show last week that he didn’t believe Ohtani would re-sign with the team in free agency.

Rendon replied, “No, I didn’t think he was coming back.” “Not at all. I believe it’s just the sheer amount of value he adds to baseball off the field. If you stop to think about it, only the Angels are aware of the kind of market he can bring to a team playing baseball. Since Arte (Moreno) has been with the Angels for the past six years, only he and everyone else in the organisation are aware of the kind of TV ratings and marketing that he can deliver. Additionally, every other club is essentially speculating. “Well, we can probably accomplish this and that, but what if he goes above and beyond this and that?” is what’s going through their minds.

“And I believe the Dodgers, simply being the Dodgers, were prepared to take that risk and bring in what he can bring in outside of baseball to cover that salary. Of course, I’ve heard that other clubs were also willing to spend that much. So he had to go explore someplace else, isn’t it right? And I find it incomprehensible that they will be able to profit so much off him just because of what he does to the game of baseball. Seven hundred million dollars? That will be accomplished in a few years. After that, everything else will result in a profit.”

The Angels should sign at least one starting pitcher and one free agent hitter this winter now that Ohtani is no longer in Anaheim. Regarding the remaining starting pitchers available, Jordan Montgomery, the 2023 World Series champion, and two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell seem to be the best.

After the 2023 season ended, Stroman notified the Cubs that he would like to leave the team in the last year of his contract. With Stroman’s departure, the Cubs will have an opening in their 2024 rotation. The team signed Japanese sensation Shota Imanaga to a four-year, $53 million contract last week; Imanaga is anticipated to replace Stroman in the lineup.

In 2023, the righty was selected as an All-Star for the second time in his career. He tossed 98 2/3 innings with a 2.28 ERA in his first 16 starts of the season, and he was outstanding. After hitting a rough patch in the latter part of June, Stroman went on to record an 8.29 ERA in nine starts and two relief appearances while on the injured list.