MLB insider's three-way trade to get Marcus Stroman off Yankees makes total sense

The San Francisco Giants were connected to right-hander Marcus Stroman last offseason before the New York Yankees defied logic, buried the hatchet, and stepped directly into his market. Could San Francisco potentially re-engage this offseason to solve one of the Yankees' biggest roster issues in a stranger-than-ever pitching market?

As pitched by MLB insider Joel Sherman, a three-way deal packed exclusively with problematic contracts could relieve the Yankees, Giants, and Cubs of their unique issues at this year's Winter Meetings.

Sherman has been hell-bent on Cody Bellinger joining the Yankees with or without Juan Soto this offseason, and while it's certainly a more appealing proposition if No. 22 locks in long-term, Bellinger's versatility at both first and center field could cover for Aaron Judge in multiple respects, regardless of personnel. Talk of the Cubs or Yankees "eating money" sounds more appealing if other burdensome cash comes off the books in different directions. In this case, that could involve Stroman's $18.5 million luxury tax hit heading to San Francisco, reliever Taylor Rogers' expiring $11 million going to Chicago, and Bellinger's $30 million (with player options in tow) heading onto New York's books.

Bellinger at $11.5 million for one year, the difference between Stroman's salary and his own? Sign us up.

Yankees could add Cody Bellinger, shed Marcus Stroman in proposed three-way trade

This makes too much sense not to work, freeing the Cubs from the burden of looming potential future years of Bellinger while allowing the Giants to nab a workable innings-eater at a relative discount, given the absurdity of the current pitching market. Yes, Stroman for two years at $18.5 million per is on par with Frankie Montas' $17 million AAV and Luis Severino's $22+ million for two/three, pending opt-out.

Asking the Yankees to take on Bellinger's regressive metrics at the full breadth of his salary would be a tough pill to swallow, but given his skills and the ballpark's dimensions, he seems to be a clear upgrade on Anthony Rizzo, both offensively and defensively, at the very least. Balance the books like this, and the Yankees come out on top.