Former Blue Jays Marcus Stroman, Jordan Hicks reportedly gaining steam toward new deals

Stroman was linked to the Yankees earlier this week by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, whose report revealed negotiations with the Medford, NY., native originated around GM Meetings in Nashville last November.

Nightengale also added New York has continued exploring the starting pitching market after whiffing on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who chose the Los Angeles Dodgers over them while inking a 12-year, $325-million contract last month.

Signing Stroman would be quite the reversal for New York, especially considering Nightengale’s report from last weekend about the front office not responding to his olive branch about mending their strained relationship.

For those who don’t remember, Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Yahoo Sports following the 2019 trade deadline that he didn’t envision Stroman – ultimately dealt to the Mets that season – as part of their post-season rotation. That, of course, sparked a social media war which continued leading up to this off-season.

Nothing is ever finished until someone signs on the dotted line. But as of now, it seems time may be the cure that leads to Stroman’s return to the AL East – an outcome that could result in multiple matchups against the Blue Jays in April.

Jordan Hicks

Hicks is another name that’s circulated recently, as the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported late Tuesday night. The 27-year-old was acquired by the Blue Jays from the St. Louis Cardinals prior to last season’s trade deadline.

It’s unclear which teams have expressed interest in the hard-throwing righty, although a potential Blue Jays return has long been considered unlikely.

Many have wondered if Hicks desires to start in 2024 rather than continue as a high-leverage reliever. He worked exclusively out of the bullpen a season ago but operated more as a hybrid over his first four big-league campaigns in St. Louis, making eight starts in 2022.

As a starter, the 6-foot-2 hurler could eye a deal similar to Seth Lugo’s two-year, $15-million contract signed with the San Diego Padres last winter, which included an opt-out after Year 1 and allowed him to parlay a promising return to the rotation into a three-year, $45-million deal with the Kansas City Royals.

But considering the Blue Jays – who’ve also shied away from paying top dollar for relief pitchers – can’t provide that assurance, Hicks is probably better served to sign elsewhere.