This past season, the New York Mets lost one of their key starters to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marcus Stroman was great in the 2019 season for New York. Stroman was acquired at the 2019 trade deadline and played very well down the stretch for them. The Long Island native was lights out during spring training, making Mets fans look forward to the upcoming season.
Details
Stroman was drafted 22nd overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. He rose the ranks in Toronto’s minor-league system, ultimately becoming a high-end prospect and debuting during the 2014 season. Stroman was the first-ever Duke University player to be selected in the first round of the MLB draft. In 2015, Stroman tore his ACL during spring training, presumably keeping him out for the entire season. While he was rehabbing, he finished his college degree and made a miraculous comeback in September 2015 to be healthy for the playoffs. Stroman helped the Blue Jays reach the ALCS, ultimately prevailing to the Kansas City Royals.
In the 2019 season, Stroman was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game. A few short weeks later, Stroman was traded to the Mets for pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson. Stroman missed the beginning of the 2020 season with a torn calf on his left leg. He then announced a month later that he would opt out of the COVID-19 season. The 29-year-old also starred for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, leading them to a championship. The 5-foot-7 pitcher trademarked the slogan “Height Doesn’t Measure Heart” known as “HDMH” and runs a foundation under that name.
In Stroman’s career, he has a 3.76 ERA through 849.1 innings pitched with 695 strikeouts, a save, a 51-47 record, and a 1.29 WHIP. During his time with the Mets in 2019, Stroman went 4-2 with a 3.77 ERA and 60 strikeouts.
Ideal Contract
Stroman would probably look to get a contract that would pay him roughly $12-15 million a season. As a 29-year-old, he would also most likely seek some security until his mid-30s, making this deal a 4-to-6-year deal. The Mets would likely be higher on his list than some other teams as a New Yorker. The team needs pitching and he can be a high leverage starter. He may have some interest in the Yankees as they need pitching. Another team that he may look to consider is the Chicago White Sox, who has a young team with plenty of stars to help them reach the postseason.
Top Landing Spots
New York Mets
The Mets have the ability to give Stroman a qualifying offer to come back for next season and they may even be able to work out an extension if he is under contract. He will be able to start right behind Jacob deGrom and be a big part of New York‘s push to the playoffs.
New York Yankees
The Yankees’ rotation struggled mightily in the 2020 season. They are a big market team in Stroman‘s hometown. They will be able to hand him a very large contract and he would be able to patch behind another front line starter in Gerrit Cole.
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a young team with a fabulous lineup and a great start to the rotation. Stroman would help fill out the young rotation and get some experience to help them make an even bigger push to the playoffs after failing to advance.
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