Marcus Stroman addresses Yankees GM’s past criticism

Marcus Stroman’s decision to sign with the New York Yankees was somewhat surprising to some considering how he and general manager Brian Cashman did not appear to see eye-to-eye. The pitcher, however, indicated that it was pretty easy for him to move past some critical comments Cashman made about him several years ago.

Stroman never hid his disdain for the Yankees after Cashman suggested he was not a “difference-maker” following a failed trade in 2019. Despite that, by the time the Yankees demonstrated their interest in him, Stroman suggested that the whole issue was long forgotten.

Marcus Stroman says he and Brian Cashman laughed about their past and got over it quickly pic.twitter.com/b6x1HTmpOw

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) January 18, 2024

“It was quick. We literally laughed about it,” Stroman said. “He let me know his quick little piece about how it didn’t necessarily come out how he wanted it to. He let me know that I was someone who he thought was always going to be a good competitor, someone who could handle the lights, someone who thrived in the pressure, and that was kind of the ultimate draw.”

Cashman, for his part, said he made it a point to apologize for the comments once the two got in touch.

Brian Cashman said he thought it was important for him to apologize to Marcus Stroman for what he said in 2019 about Stroman. While Stroman said it was essentially water under the bridge, Cashman said he wanted to make sure that things were good.

— Brendan Kuty 🧟‍♂️ (@BrendanKutyNJ) January 18, 2024

In other words, the whole thing is long forgotten by Stroman, which is the important part. Things certainly could have lingered, as the Yankees did not initially have interest in Stroman before changing their stance once their need for a frontline pitcher grew.

The Yankees will certainly need Stroman to be a difference-maker. He posted a 3.95 ERA with the Chicago Cubs last season, and has proved his ability to pitch in New York by posting a 3.21 ERA in 44 starts as a member of the Mets.