These 3 former Cubs standouts were all left off the Yankees' ALDS roster

Yankees couldn't afford to roll the dice with Marcus Stroman

In the first of a two-year, $37 million deal inked last winter, Marcus Stroman also failed to make the cut. He got off to a strong start in New York, but faded badly as the year went on, working to an ERA north of 5.00 since the start of June - going so far as being relegated to the bullpen late in the season.

The decision is easily defendable when you look at the other starting options at Boone's disposal and how the series is scheduled. Gerrit Cole took the ball in Game 1, with Carlos Rodon slated for Game 2 and then either Luis Gil or Clarke Schmidt in Game 3. The Yankees opted for more position players, which left Stroman - and the final name on our list - on the outside looking in.

Stroman finished the year with a 4.62 FIP in just over 150 innings of work. Never a big swing-and-miss guy, it makes sense the Yankees wouldn't want him coming out of the pen. But it's still a tough look for one of your biggest offseason additions to not be part of your October equation.