TAMPA, Fla. -- Free agents decide on destinations for any number of reasons. Opportunity to win, family considerations, and money -- in no particular order -- are among the most common.
In a recent conversation at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Yankees starter Marcus Stroman revealed one factor rarely discussed among prior generations: He believes in the Yankees’ commitment to mental health support.
“I’ve had a lot of growth when it comes to my mind, away from the field,” Stroman said. “I’m someone who’s very dialed in when it comes to mind and body, being tuned in with a therapist, a mental coach. I’ve always taken time away [with] meditation ... I’m very big into transcendental meditation.
“I understand the importance of being able to step away and ground yourself and center yourself, especially being in a big market like this. There’s a balance that I don’t take lightly.”
Stroman, with more than 500,000 followers on X, is among the most engaged Major Leaguers on social media. He’s also learned the value of screen-free time -- particularly as a Long Island native beginning his first season with the Yankees.
“Away from the field, I have a small circle of family and friends,” Stroman said. “I can count on my hands the amount of people I have close to me who keep me grounded. To be your best self, to be your best athlete, the spiritual-mental component has to be attacked as much as the physical component.
“I’m only at where I’m at now because of my confidence and mental capability. I’m not the most physically gifted, but I’ve been able to overcome a lot because of where I am mentally.”
Stroman views mental health as an aspect of his life that requires “routine” maintenance, no different than warming up his arm before a throwing session. The Yankees’ pitch to sign Stroman was helped by the fact that he had a prior connection to Chad Bohling, the organization’s senior director of organizational performance.
Stroman and Bohling share a mentor: the late Trevor Moawad, a revered mental performance coach and author who died of cancer in 2021. Moawad had gained national acclaim through his work with NFL quarterback Russell Wilson; Stroman worked with Moawad from 2018 until his passing.
“Trevor taught me a lot,” Stroman said. “[He was] very big about self-talk. Positive self-talk is huge -- outwardly positive, literally walking around and speaking so you can hear it. It’s a different level of confidence you get when you hear yourself rather than just think it.
“Writing things down, journaling, became very big for me. Being able to get your thoughts on paper, or hear yourself, really resonates differently and can take you to the next level. Ever since I’ve been with Trevor ... not many things can really get to me. Moments where I feel like most people might take a long time [to recover], I’m able to get back to myself quick. I’m in a great place. I’m excited for this part of my career.”
Stroman turns 33 on May 1, three days before the 10th anniversary of his MLB debut with the Blue Jays. He’s coming off his second career All-Star appearance, during a season in which he went 10-9 with a 3.95 ERA for the Cubs.
“I don’t think I’ve peaked,” Stroman said. “When you realize there’s steps to unlock to yourself, there’s always greater feats to be achieved. I’ve seen it. I’m 10 years in, but my body’s feeling better now than when I was 21, 22. I do think the mind-body connection is huge.
“I would bet on myself in these next three, four, five years. I’m hoping I have the best ROI of anybody in this free agency class. I’m excited. I’m in a great place. I’m very grounded. Everyone around here wants me to be me. They’re excited for me, too, so that only gives me more confidence, when you’ve got [Anthony Rizzo] and [Aaron] Judge and [Gerrit] Cole all telling me to be myself and do my thing.”
With those words, Stroman sounds like someone intent on pitching until he’s 40. In reality, he’s motivated by entirely different objectives.
“My goal is to feel good in life until I’m no longer on this Earth,” Stroman said. “I don’t look at it as just pitching. I want to be 50, 60, 70, my body feeling good, being able to walk around, do activities and run and compete. When you have that approach, it trickles down.
“If I have that longevity approach in life, of course I’m going to feel good in this part of my career. I’m someone who’s always learning and adapting and trying to find the next way to get better. I don’t think I’ve reached my peak yet.”