All eyes are on the Angels and Shohei Ohtani ahead of the Aug. 1 MLB trade deadline, but the Cubs have their own decision to make on starting pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Stroman is in the midst of a terrific season, but he has a chance to become a free agent after the year. The Cubs, meanwhile, haven't taken the step many believed they would and face a tough path to contention even in a shaky National League Central.
Any contender seeking starting pitching at the deadline would have a hard time finding a better option than Stroman, who has a 2.88 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 20 starts. If the Cubs decide to dangle Stroman, could one of the ace's former teams be a suitor?
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Here's the latest on Stroman's status as the Aug. 1 deadline approaches.
Marcus Stroman trade rumors
Bruce Levine of Chicago radio station WSCR reports the Blue Jays have expressed "strong interest" in acquiring Stroman, to the point that both teams have done "due diligence" on each other's farm systems.
Stroman was drafted by the Blue Jays and emerged as one of Toronto's top starters before he was traded to the Mets prior to the 2019 deadline. While Stroman has said the Mets have a "trash fan base," his relationship with the Blue Jays and their fans seems to be much more civil.
A return to Toronto would also allow Stroman a chance at a deep postseason run in a wide-open American League, where the Blue Jays are clinging to a wild card spot but have gained momentum since the All-Star break.
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The Jays may not be the only AL contender eyeing Stroman. The Astros have checked on him, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The Cubs still haven't decided whether to actively shop Stroman, with general manager Jed Hoyer telling reporters Friday that the team's performance leading up to the deadline would determine the direction the front office goes. The Cubs lost a series to the Red Sox to start the second half.
Asked for his thoughts about a potential contract extension that would keep him in Chicago, Stroman told reporters Saturday, "I just don't think it's going to happen."
"I love everything here. I just don't think they are in a position to sign me before the deadline," said Stroman, who confirmed he would be open to a new deal. "If I have to go somewhere else for two months to pitch, so be it."
Marcus Stroman contract
Stroman is in the second year of a three-year, $71 million contract he signed just before the lockout in 2021, but he has the ability to opt out after this season.
Considering he has put together a strong season and his player option is worth $21 million compared to this year's $25 million salary, Stroman seems likely to opt out and cash in on the open market.
That makes Stroman effectively a rental for any team that takes him on, and that, in turn, could motivate the Cubs to get a trade worked out rather than risk losing him in the winter.
