The Mets were expected to be sellers at the trade deadline. But, instead, they’ve added one of the top available starters.
New York has acquired Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays, the teams announced Wednesday. The Blue Jays will receive pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson in return
OFFICIAL: We've traded RHP Marcus Stroman and cash considerations to the @Mets in exchange for LHP Anthony Kay and RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson. pic.twitter.com/YpaCjLsyH0
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 29, 2019
Stroman has received little run support and has a 6-11 record this season. But, he holds a 2.96 ERA and was named to his first All-Star team in early July.
The Braves, Astros, Padres, Twins and Yankees, among others, had also been linked to Stroman, who had spent his entire six-year career with the Blue Jays.
“I feel like I’ve had a pretty good tenure as a Blue Jay,” Stroman told The Star last week. “Hopefully this will be my third year throwing 200 innings or more. I feel like I’ve pitched pretty well in the best division in baseball. There’s been no willingness from the front office to sign me, so I’ve just come to terms with it.”
The Mets had reportedly been exploring moving right-hander Noah Syndergaard and using some of the prospects in that deal to land Stroman. The team, however, is not close to sending Syndergaard elsewhere, according to MLB.com.
BREAKING: the Mets are indeed close on a deal for Marcus Stroman, per source. I'm told it does NOT involve Noah Syndergaard.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) July 28, 2019
The Mets are also reportedly looking into dealing Jason Vargas, Edwin Diaz, Todd Frazier and Zack Wheeler — although New York may try to sign him to an extension if it trades Syndergaard.
"We are going to be open-minded, we are going to be thoughtful and measured in terms of what we do as we approach the deadline, all with the eyes on trying to improve this club," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen told reporters in mid-July.
The Mets have won four in a row and finished play Sunday six games out of the second National League wild-card spot with a 50-55 record.