The New York Yankees have made significant progress in replacing Juan Soto, and more moves are expected.
The team has secured key free agent Max Fried and acquired stars Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams through trades, strengthening their starting rotation, lineup, and bullpen. However, there may still be some holes in the infield to address, as Anthony Rizzo and Gleyber Torres are negotiating new contracts.
FanSided reporter Robert Murray recently highlighted that “a Marcus Stroman trade seems more likely than not” as the Yankees aim to clear payroll and pursue additional free agents. Stroman, who is owed $18.3 million for 2025, struggled at the end of the past season, leaving his role in the 2025 rotation uncertain. If the Yankees decide to move him, Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell suggested a trade that could yield a significant return.
Pressnell’s proposal would send Stroman, pitching prospect Will Warren, and outfield prospect Francisco Vilorio to the Houston Astros in exchange for starter Framber Valdez.
“This trade works for the Yankees in two ways,” Pressnell added. “First, they would acquire another ace-caliber pitcher to add to their rotation with Gerrit Cole and Max Fried at the top. Second, they would get off Stroman’s remaining contract, freeing money up to pay Alex Bregman or Christian Walker in free agency.”
Acquiring Framber Valdez would be a significant upgrade over Marcus Stroman for the Yankees’ 2025 rotation. Valdez, a two-time All-Star, boasts a career 3.30 ERA over seven seasons in the majors. In 2024, he posted a 2.91 ERA in 28 starts, earning votes for both the Cy Young Award and MVP.
However, Valdez is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility, with a hefty contract extension likely for 2026 and beyond, making a trade for him potentially a one-year rental for the Yankees.
The Astros might be open to trading Valdez due to his contract situation, as they are generally reluctant to extend their stars. They’ve already traded Kyle Tucker ahead of his final arbitration year, and it’s uncertain whether they will make the highest offer to retain Alex Bregman.
“The Astros appear to be in a retooling year,” Pressnell added. “With that in mind, they could afford to trade their expiring contracts to bring in controllable talent. Will Warren is the Yankees’ top pitching prospect… Francisco Vilorio is a young outfield prospect with all the tools scouts rave about.”
If the Astros are looking to recoup some value before watching Valdez walk away in free agency, this proposed return might be enough to interest them while giving the Yankees a way out of Stroman’s remaining salary.
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