As the MLB offseason heats up, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels find themselves with distinct needs that could pave the way for a mutually beneficial trade. The Yankees are eyeing payroll relief and bullpen reinforcements, while the Angels are desperate for a starting pitcher to stabilize their rotation after Shohei Ohtani’s departure. A proposed deal sending Marcus Stroman to the Angels in exchange for reliever Aaron Loup and a mid-tier prospect could be the solution both franchises need.

The proposed Yankees-Angels trade

The Yankees will send Marcus Stroman, a veteran right-handed starting pitcher owed $18 million for the 2025 season. In his place, they will receive Aaron Loup, a left-handed reliever with a $7.5 million salary for 2025 and a rookie ranked in the Angels’ 10-20 prospect range, such as infielder Kyren Paris or pitcher Victor Mederos.

Why this trade works for the Yankees

One of the Yankees’ primary goals this offseason is shedding payroll to create financial flexibility. Moving Stroman’s $18 million salary would provide significant relief, allowing the team to reallocate resources toward addressing other needs, such as adding a left-handed bat or signing additional bullpen reinforcements.

With a roster already teetering near the luxury tax threshold, trimming Stroman’s contract would offer the Yankees breathing room to pursue strategic upgrades without compromising their long-term payroll health.

Aaron Loup fills a glaring hole in the Yankees’ bullpen as a left-handed specialist. The team lacked a reliable southpaw reliever throughout the 2024 season, which often forced manager Aaron Boone to rely on right-handers in high-leverage situations against left-handed hitters.

Loup, a veteran with playoff experience, brings a proven ability to handle pressure-packed moments. In 2024, Loup posted a 3.48 ERA over 54 appearances with the Angels, showcasing his consistency and knack for neutralizing lefty bats. His addition would bolster the Yankees’ late-inning options and provide Boone with greater matchup flexibility.

While the Yankees’ farm system remains solid, acquiring a mid-tier prospect like Kyren Paris or Victor Mederos would add valuable depth. Paris, an athletic infielder with speed and defensive versatility, could develop into a utility player or even a starting option in the future. Meanwhile, Mederos offers intriguing upside as a pitching prospect with a strong fastball-slider combination.

Adding prospects not only enhances organizational depth but also provides trade chips for future deals, ensuring the Yankees can remain competitive in the long term.

Why this trade works for the Angels

The Angels’ rotation was left in shambles following Shohei Ohtani’s departure and Patrick Sandoval’s season-ending Tommy John surgery. Enter Marcus Stroman—a durable, veteran starter with playoff experience.

Stroman has consistently demonstrated his ability to eat innings and keep his team in games. In 2024, he posted a 3.92 ERA over 30 starts, proving his value as a steady presence in the rotation. For a team looking to stay competitive in the AL West, Stroman represents a significant upgrade to a rotation lacking proven options.
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Despite losing Ohtani, the Angels appear committed to competing in 2025. With stars like Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon still under contract, the team has every reason to push for immediate success. Adding Stroman to the rotation would signal that the Angels aren’t backing down, even in the face of adversity.

While parting with Aaron Loup weakens their bullpen, the Angels have other left-handed options, including Tucker Davidson and Jose Quijada, to fill the void. By addressing their most pressing need—starting pitching—the Angels can better position themselves to contend in a competitive division.

Challenges and adjustments

While the framework of the trade is solid, there are potential hurdles that both teams must navigate:

Value balancing
Stroman’s higher salary and role as a starting pitcher inherently make him more valuable than Loup. Including a mid-tier prospect like Paris or Mederos helps balance the trade, but additional cash considerations or a second prospect from the Yankees may be necessary to finalize the deal.

Angels’ long-term strategy
The Angels must evaluate whether acquiring Stroman aligns with their broader strategy. While Stroman strengthens their rotation in the short term, his $18 million salary could hinder their ability to invest in other areas. The team must weigh the benefits of improving their 2025 rotation against the potential cost to their long-term competitiveness.

Conclusion: A win-win scenario?

This proposed Yankees-Angels trade addresses immediate needs for both franchises, offering a mutually beneficial path forward. The Yankees gain financial relief, a key bullpen upgrade, and a prospect to bolster their farm system, while the Angels solidify their rotation and demonstrate their intent to compete in the AL West.

With a few adjustments to balance value, this deal could set the stage for a productive offseason for both teams, aligning their strategies with their respective goals for 2025. As the offseason progresses, this proposal remains a logical starting point for discussions that could reshape the fortunes of two storied franchises.

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