By Adeniyi Precious 
With spring training just around the corner, the New York Yankees still haven’t wrapped up their offseason moves. The only hope some fans have left is that DJ LeMahieu somehow finds his groove this year—but that seems like a long shot in 2025. Brian Cashman has filled in some gaps—signing Cody Bellinger and Max Fried, adding Paul Goldschmidt, and boosting the bullpen with Devin Williams and Tim Hill. But there’s still a big hole in the infield since Gleyber Torres left, and now LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Oswald Peraza are trying to fill the gap. Not exactly ideal when you’re trying to compete with the Dodgers for a World Series.
The problem? Hal Steinbrenner is sticking to the luxury tax line, so Cashman can’t make any big moves without cutting costs first. And trading Marcus Stroman, with his hefty $18 million salary for 2025, isn’t exactly easy. With so many cheaper options out there, no one’s jumping at that deal.
But then, just when all seemed lost, a miracle of sorts could be on the horizon: the Miami Marlins, one of the few teams more budget-conscious than Steinbrenner himself.
The Marlins are rebuilding and have made it clear they’re not looking to compete in 2025. After losing 100 games last season, their focus is on the future. But here’s the catch: MLB rules require teams like the Marlins—who get revenue-sharing funds—to spend at least 150% of that money on player payroll. Miami got around $70 million in revenue-sharing money last season, so they need to hit $105 million in payroll or face potential trouble with the MLBPA.
Right now, the Marlins are sitting at just under $84 million, and with spring training quickly approaching, they need to make a move. They’re reportedly considering adding a veteran starter or two, especially with injuries to key pitchers. Enter Marcus Stroman. The Marlins could take on his $18 million salary and get a reliable veteran arm in return, all while satisfying their payroll requirements. For the Yankees, it’s a perfect chance to offload one of their biggest mistakes and clear room for other moves.
Looks like the Yankees might just get a break after all—thanks to the Marlins’ financial situation.