As those who closely follow the majors know, Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman may not be for long for Toronto. Not only are the Blue Jays rebuilding and out of contention, but Stroman’s team control is dwindling, making him a logical trade chip leading up to the July 31 deadline.
The 28-year-old Stroman discussed his future with Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com and other reporters Tuesday, saying the Jays have not pursued a contract extension. As such, even though Stroman loves Toronto and “everything about” Canada, he realizes his time there may be winding down.
“It doesn’t seem like I’m going to be signed here to a long-term deal. It’s just something you have to come to terms with,” Stroman said.
Stroman has been a Blue Jay since they chose him 22nd in the 2012 draft. The 5-foot-8 hurler ascended to the majors in 2014 and has since been one of the faces of the Toronto franchise. Stroman owns a 3.83 ERA/3.62 FIP with 7.22 K/9 and 2.56 BB/9 in 752 2/3 innings dating back to his debut. While he’s not a strikeout pitcher, Stroman’s a worm-burning wizard whose groundball rate – 59.2 percent – ranks second among starters since he initially came up.
So far in 2019, which may go down as his last year in Toronto, Stroman’s on pace for one of his best seasons. After allowing three earned runs in seven innings during a loss to the Angels on Tuesday, Stroman carries a stellar 3.23 ERA/3.83 FIP with 6.75 K/9, 2.76 BB/9 and a 58 percent grounder rate through 94 2/3 innings.
The production Stroman has posted this season is far better than what he managed during a truncated 2018, when multiple injuries limited him to 102 1/3 frames, and will only increase his appeal going up to the deadline. Over the next month-plus, plenty of teams figure to push for Stroman, who’s on a reasonable $7.4MM salary and eligible for arbitration for one more year.
but nothing of his newest album? lame!
I think tonight might have marked the first time I’ve ever seen a pitcher wear a du-rag on the field.
It was pretty epic, Stroman is awesome. Lol
If one thing is true, this guy does not lack confidence. Guy is a bulldog. Some contender will be happy to have him here shortly.
You missed Johnny Cueto way before Stroman
The future in general or just specific to him? Because it would be pretty cool if he started spouting off celebrity predictions for the upcoming year or reciting some new Nostradamus style quatrains.
You misread. It didn’t say he’s discussing the future, it says he’s discussing Future, the rapper (not sure if he discussed Future’s future).
The world might implode if he discussed Future’s past or present, so I think you are making a safe assumption.
Man, I need sleep.
This is the same clown who said “it’s not normal to want to play in Canada.” Means nothing to Shatkins or anyone else for that matter. But it wouldn’t surprise me if they keep him out of general malevolence.
I highly doubt the reason Blue Jays management is looking to cash in chips and trade Stroman instead of giving him an extension is because as a native of New York City he once stated that “it’s not normal to want to play in Canada”. But you’re probably right that Shatkins or anyone else doesn’t care.
I don’t like Stroman, but he’s not wrong (either in his mentality going into it or his opinion of others) when he says “it’s not normal to want to play in Canada.” Even with that I assume he meant it more like “it’s generally not one of the first choices for many players.” Lots of players I imagine have this thought I’m sure. I remember that Mark Buehrle said that he wasn’t exactly super excited to come play in Canada (partly because of Ontario’s laws about pit bulls) either back when he came over from Miami. If anything it was likely less of an adjustment for a guy like Stroman since he’s from the state of New York, but I can imagine that for guys from baseball hotbeds like California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, etc. and Latin America it’s a bigger adjustment.
Miami has anti pit bull laws, very very strict ones. So he has to live in Broward and had special clauses in his contract to make up for it. Those clauses became null and void with a trade. As you may remember , Reyes and himself were absolutely shocked to be traded.
I know it sounds dumb right now but I do not miss Loria.
He was not allowed to bring his Pit Bulls into Ontario.
He has a Toronto tattoo. And the only place that those words you put in quotations has ever been said is by you.
Hahaha! False. He stated that emphatically in a spring training interview when exasperated that he hadn’t been extended. Professed his love for Toronto, called it his city and arrogantly claimed that…wait for it…”it’s not normal to want to play in Canada.”
Stroman realizes he’s not a free agent this winter right? Plenty of SP don’t receive extensions and given how often SP particularly ones that don’t have high k/9 results seem to very into their 30s and injuries in general I would hazard to guess it’s never smart to extend those kinda guys on non contenders.
Yes he does
The Jays should replace him with his best friend Mike Stud. They played college baseball together and Mike raps too. As far as I know those are the only two qualifications necessary to the the Jays ace.
At Duke? Was their rap duo Mike Stud and the Lil Spud?
Not sure if they were even a duo. I know Mike Stud had Major League ambitions but had to stop playing due to injuries. I saw a whole documentary about it. Mike Stud was actually the main subject, not Stroman. They went in depth to explain that Mike Stud hates his stage name. He started rapping as a joke but actually picked up some real steam. Now he can’t change the name because it’s his main recognition. You should check it out. It was slightly informative and entertaining to say the least. I don’t know the name of the program but I am sure you can research on Google and find it. The funny thing is (if I recall correctly) Stud and Stroman were frat brothers and the whole thing started out as kind of a joke/prank. Now Stud is literally selling out venues in that area and Stroman is a MLB starting pitcher. I can almost guarantee you that Stroman has gone onstage during a Mike Stud concert and actually rapped with him. I would guess there is video of it on the internet.
What are they guessing his cost will be? I’d almost like for the Rays to get him except they have three guys coming back and he isn’t elite, or big. They don’t match up well.
Would’ve stayed away from that line of questioning. Then again, the Rogers-owned media person knows this creates more buzz, more controversy and if it paints Stroman in a negative light in Toronto, so be it. Although it is a conflict of interest, the sports media in-general really can’t help but ask complete nonsense or anything that really matters. Maybe Barry Bonds had a point.
Stroman can only control is performance, period. To ask him about his future is a no-win question. He is called to perform and to perform well regardless where he is or what uniform he wears. First, Ben Nicholson-Smith should pose that question to the person that has the power to decide where Stroman will be (Atkins), and maybe choose between his mom or dad’s last night and drop the hyphen.
It was the MLB.com reporter who asked the question lol. And even if it was the Sportsnet one, who cares? This happens everywhere. It’s not a Toronto or Rogers issue.
At least that’s how interpreted it. Might have been the other way. But again, it doesn’t matter and they aren’t “spinning it” another way.
No JDSheep, it’s not an appropriate question. It does not make Stroman look good in the eyes of the fans, especially when he’s been rather unspoken in the past. This is gasoline on a fire, which Stroman did start. Considering some Jays fans above have expressed displeasure with Stroman, I’ve been proven right; this doesn’t reflect positively. Nicholson-Smith knows it, and I guarantee he knows it.
Atkins and Shapiro have taken PR hit after PR hit the moment AA left town. They will not allow the Marcus Stromans of the world to “get one over” on them. They are all about keeping their place here.
Ben Nicholson-Smith covers for Sportsnet. Wrong point #1.
Conflict of interest, that’s why I care. Wrong point #2 for you.
Have you not learned anything from the last 20 years, sheep?
Chisholm was the one who brought up extension talks…
TrollReaper just gotta throw those little juvinile stabs in there.
Baaaaaa!
I look at anyone who uses the sheep analogy as someone at least five years behind the times. How do people not get tired of using insults that are decades old?
Joel you might want to spellcheck before you check on me. I feel embarrassed for you.
Jleve that wasn’t an insult. When JD isn’t sucking in the lies from Toronto’s media he’s trolling people or bullying those he disagrees with. And he has the audacity to flag posts he doesn’t like. It’s really sad.
Trolling and bullying from the source itself. What does that make me? Super troll and bully. All because I correct stuff? Lmao this is great
JD, why do you keep apologizing for the dumpster fire lit by Shapkins? Doesn’t it sadden you to see Buck Martinez having to dissect this garbage on air? Or to see the organization built up by AA burned to the ground by proven team destroyers Shapiro and Atkins?
Stroman for Clint Frazier and pitching prospect…
Stroman for Abreu and one other pitching prospect.
jmac,
Stroman is so overrated, just like Archer. He has no Post Season experience.
Maybe they can work on Frazier’s fielding, he really is some hitter. Oh well, let’s see
who grabs him up.
Wrong. Stroman has made 5 postseason starts.
2015 2 starts against Texas 13 innings pitched giving up 5 earned runs
2015 1 start against K.C. 6.1 innings gave up 4 earned runs
2016 1 start against Baltimore 6 innings pitched 2 earned runs
2016 1 start against Cleveland 5.1 innings pitched 4 earned runs
What is your proof that Stroman is overrated? What stats do you have that he’s “just like Archer”?
Google is a godsend when you don’t know Baseball.
Blue Jay’s gave enough guys that will be 1b/DH types… no need for Frazier
I really came to like Stroman during the last World Baseball Classic and think a team would be wise to trade for him.
Then again, I thought the same thing about the other star Team USA pitcher in that tournament.
And so far that’s not looking to be the case.
Until the Blue Jays learn to hit, it doesn’t matter who pitches.
Brewers and Yankees make the most sense. MIL has a definite need, but his salary may be an issue, and I don’t know what they’d be willing to give in return. I could see TOR more realistically sending Stroman to NYY for a package headlined by Clint Frazier.
Yankees have full rotation this season and next, don’t think they’d be great fit for him. Maybe Houston, Minnesota, Philly?
Anyone but Frazier… just another utility bat a la Drury and McKinney.
Trade him. If it works out, he can be brought back under the right deal and circumstances. But to hang on to him too long could be a big mistake.
Boston could use Stroman in rotation but doubt Jays would trade him to a team within their division.
Jays had No problem putting Pearce in Redsox uni. Worked out I think. I Agree. Stoman wouldn’t look bad With sox
Jays had No problem putting Pearce in Redsox uni. Worked out I think. I Agree. Stoman wouldn’t look bad in Sox uni.
I gave no doubt Atkins will screw up trading Stroman as well, and we’ll just get another utility player with no upside like Drury or McKinney and an AA ceiling pitcher… #FireShapkins
If Atkins trades him for the demoted Frazier then he should be fired with cause… Yankees already have E3 and Happ thanks to Shapkins and their poor management. Why let a team in the sane division get richer? Plus Yankees prospects are over-hyped (see Drury, McKinney, Frazier)… terrible front office.