Yankees Reportedly Not Front-Runners for Marcus Stroman as Blue Jays Claim They Might Extend Him

For weeks, the word around the MLB deadline has been that Marcus Stroman is on the move. We've all heard plenty of rumors on where the Blue Jays righty might end up, and for a while, it seemed as though the New York Yankees were the front-runners to land the 28-year-old.

Now, it appears as though that isn't the case, as teams begin to get cagey.

“#Yankees are not currently perceived as front-runner [for Marcus Stroman],” according to @Joelsherman1. “They have not pursued him with the same ardor as J.A. Happ last year and the Blue Jays like other contenders’ farm systems better.” https://t.co/z6RIQdelQ1
— Max Wildstein (@MaxWildstein) July 25, 2019

Apparently, the issue with getting Stroman to New York comes from both sides. In the Yankees case, they haven't showed the same desire for Stroman that they have with in-division pitchers in the past. As for the Blue Jays' trepidation, they're obviously looking for a decent return for Stroman.

The Jays clearly have their eyes on the systems of other clubs, filled with potential prospects to bring aboard in exchange for Stroman.

Or, you know, they might just keep him, a notion they're apparently leaking.

Source: Blue Jays have told interested teams that they might not trade Stroman, but extend him. Unclear if this is a res possibility or a negotiating tactic
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) July 25, 2019

With another team taking over as the favorite to land Stroman, the Yankees may need to move on to another pitching option.

Yankees not very involved for Mike Minor who has no-trade to them. They exchanged names in Stroman talks but see him and Robbie Ray as mid-rotation guys. Other options: could wait it out for MadBum (if SF starts to lose) or go heavy with pen, bulking up a strength.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 25, 2019

If the Yanks are truly out on Stroman, they shouldn't be all that worried. There are a number of other options available, but like everyone else in the league, they'll need to act quickly.

The Stroman saga just continues to drag out, and at this point, it's anyone's guess as to which team he might end up with.

If he moves anywhere at all.