As the MLB postseason continues to rage on, fans of the eliminated teams have already begun thinking about potential offseason moves. One player that people are speculating about is right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman. The 2017 Golden Glove winner is set to become a free agent this offseason after spending the last three years with the New York Mets.
Stroman started in an MLB-leading 33 games last season, pitching to a 10-13 record, 3.02 ERA and 1.145 WHIP. It’s safe to say that any team that needs pitching help will likely take a look into the 30-year-old.
According to Bovada, the San Diego Padres are the likeliest team to sign Marcus Stroman at +165 odds. It was nearly three weeks ago that rumors began swirling that the Padres were interested in signing the veteran pitcher. After all, San Diego’s pitching this season (both poor play and injuries) was one of the reasons why the club missed out on the playoffs despite its hot start to the year.
The Padres were 48-33 in the first half of the season, looking like the playoffs were a guarantee. Unfortunately, the team couldn’t maintain that pace and went 31-50 in its final 81 games, giving up 394 earned runs for a 5.02 ERA. Statistics like that won’t cut it if the Padres want to be contenders, especially in a division like the NL West that includes the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
Bringing in Marcus Stroman would give the rotation a reliable leader who’s been healthy more often than not throughout his career. He’s pitched to a 3.22 ERA or better in three of his last four seasons, regardless of how well his team performed. If he pitched as well as he did on a lowly Mets team this year, there’s no telling the success he could have in San Diego.
Where Will Marcus Stroman Play in 2022?
Odds via Bovada as of Friday, October 22
- San Diego Padres (+165)
- New York Mets (+225)
- Chicago Cubs (+350)
- Toronto Blue Jays (+550)
- New York Yankees (+700)
- Los Angeles Angels (+800)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (+800)
Mets Remain an Option
Even though there’s been a lot of talk about Marcus Stroman leaving New York, him sticking around with the Mets (+225) is still a possibility. It’ll all come down to how much the Mets are willing to pay him, especially with him rumoured to be worth around $25 million per season. That’s a lot of money for a starter who doesn’t have too many accolades, however, he’s one of the most notable free-agent starting pitchers this offseason, so it makes sense that some team would be willing to pay that much.
Still, Marcus Stroman proved his value to New York throughout the 2021 season. While Jacob deGrom was sidelined for most of the year with an elbow injury. Considering how he was shut down for the year, there’s no telling how deGrom will look by the time next season starts. With that uncertainty looming, the Mets could re-sign Stroman because they know what he’s capable of. He held it down this year without New York’s ace and he can probably do it again, which is why the Mets may be willing to swallow that $25 million-plus price tag.
Marcus Stroman Odds: Reunion with the Blue Jays?
Before Marcus Stroman was a Met, he spent his first six and a half MLB seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was supposed to be one of their pitches of the future, however, that changed when he was moved to New York in July 2019 for Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson.
While the move was shocking at the time, it doesn’t look like Stroman has any ill feelings towards the Blue Jays organization. A fan suggested on Twitter that he could pitch next to Alek Manoah in Toronto, only for Stroman to reply by saying that he’s “definitely open to a reunion.”
Blue Jays fans have made it clear that they never wanted to see Stroman go, especially since he was supposed to be part of the organization’s core. Now that Toronto has gone through its rebuild and nearly qualified for the postseason in 2021, a reunion between the two sides could be in the cards.
It’s no secret that the Blue Jays will be pursuing starting pitchers this offseason to help take things to the next level. With some time passing and both sides maturing, maybe now’s the right time to welcome Stroman back to Toronto.
