NEW York Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman was nowhere to be found when Spring Training opened.
Two days later he arrived, and claimed he wasn’t making a statement towards the Yankees.
He did have a message when he showed up though: he wants to be a starter on the team.
“I’m a starter,” Stroman said 11 times during a meeting with reporters.
“I won’t pitch in the bullpen.”
Stroman’s firm stance comes after the Yankees attempted to trade him this MLB offseason.
However, they have yet to find a trade partner to take on his large contract.
Stroman is owed $18 million for the 2025 season.
He is projected to be the last man out of the Yankees’ rotation this year, but he would likely slot in if there were an injury.
Still, he won’t accept a position in the bullpen to wait for that moment.
“I don’t think there was a need for me to be here in the last few days, given the climate,” Stroman said.
“I talked to [Aaron Boone], we had a great conversation. Everything’s honestly perfect and seamless.
“My relationship with the guys in the clubhouse hasn’t changed. I feel great to be back and I’m ready to roll.
“I know I can compete at any level, with any team. If I’m here, if I’m not here, my body’s ready to roll.
“I’m ready to go out there and give 30-plus starts.”
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he isn’t concerned about Stroman’s demands right now, and he will prepare for the season as a starter.
Rosters won’t need to be decided for another six weeks, and plenty can change in that time.
“We’ll obviously address anything we have to once we get into certain situations,” Boone said.
“But right now, the focus is getting him ready to go.”
MLB All-Star starters 2024
American League
C: Adley Rutschman (Baltimore Orioles)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)
2B: Marcus Semien (Texas Rangers)
3B: José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians)
SS: Gunnar Henderson (Baltimore Orioles)
OF: Aaron Judge (New York Yankees)
OF: Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians)
OF: Juan Soto (New York Yankees)
DH: Yordan Alvarez (Houston Astros)
National League
C: William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers)
1B: Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
2B: Ketel Marte (Arizona Diamondbacks)
3B: Alec Bohm (Philadelphia Phillies)
SS: Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies)
OF: Jurickson Profar (San Diego Padres)
OF: Teoscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers)
OF: Christian Yelich (Milwaukee Brewers)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Stroman said he had a difficult offseason this year, losing his house in Malibu during the fires in January. He also has a house near Tampa where he was staying before arriving at Spring Training.
“Just felt like today was a good day to come,” Stroman said.
“Valentine’s Day, feel like the vibes are going to be proper. Everyone’s happy on this day.”
Yankees fans aren’t thrilled with Stroman’s antics ahead of the season, and are sharing their thoughts on social media.
“How about he STARTS packing his bags!!” one fan said.
“Get rid of this guy now. What ever it takes. We don’t need that attitude on the team,” another fan said.