The Washington Nationals will be actively seeking pitching help this offseason, as they have two veteran pitchers, Patrick Corbin and Trevor Williams, set to hit free agency. While the team has several internal options to potentially replace them—MacKenzie Gore, Mitchell Parker, Jake Irvin, DJ Herz, Josiah Gray, and Jackson Rutledge—it’s a young group that could benefit from some veteran presence. One player that has been discussed as a possible trade target is Marcus Stroman of the New York Yankees.
Would the experienced right-hander be a good fit for the Nationals? Here are four reasons why they should consider trading for the two-time All-Star this winter.
Experience Gap
As noted, the Nationals could field one of the youngest starting rotations in baseball next season. Parker and Herz, both rookies last year, showed promise and enter their sophomore seasons with some positive momentum. While Corbin didn’t perform at a high level, his veteran leadership and experience would be missed if he’s not retained. Stroman could step in to fill that void, bringing with him 10 seasons of MLB experience. He could serve as insurance for Gore, who looks like a potential staff ace, and Irvin, who has been the team’s nominal No. 1. Stroman would fit well in the mix behind those two.
Asking Price and Affordability
The Yankees are looking to trim payroll in order to re-sign Juan Soto and make other roster improvements. As a result, Stroman’s trade value may not be very high. If the asking price is something like Juan Yepez, the Nationals should definitely pursue the deal, especially if it includes a prospect and New York covers part of Stroman’s $18.5 million salary. Washington isn’t cash-strapped and could take on his salary, particularly if it means receiving a better prospect as part of the deal, which could essentially function as a salary dump for the Yankees. Additionally, Stroman didn’t pitch in the MLB postseason, which could indicate New York’s plans for him in 2025.
Limiting Major Damage
With today’s emphasis on launch angle and exit velocity for hitting home runs, a groundball pitcher like Stroman could be a valuable asset. Over his career, Stroman has excelled at limiting major damage by keeping the ball on the ground. His career groundball rate of 55.8% is significantly higher than the MLB average of 43.4%, and his fly ball rate of 16.9% is well below the league average of 23.5%. This makes him effective at preventing home runs and keeping the ball in the park. Stroman pitches to contact, so the defense would need to be sharp behind him to convert those groundballs into outs.
Not Necessarily a Rental
Building a consistent winner requires stability and chemistry, so the Nationals might want to target players who could stay with the team beyond just one season. Stroman could fit that role. He signed a two-year, $37 million contract last offseason, which includes a vesting option for $18.5 million in 2026, contingent on reaching a specific innings threshold. If he hits that mark, it would mean he’s performed well, and the Nationals may want to retain him. At $18.5 million, Stroman would be a cost-effective mid-rotation starter, especially compared to other pitchers in a similar tier.
