In July 2019, the New York Mets made a significant trade with the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. The trade was a surprise to many, as the Mets were not thought to be in the market for starting pitching at the time.
In this blog post, we will delve into the details of the trade and answer the question, “What did the Mets trade for Marcus Stroman?” We will examine the players involved, the Mets’ needs at the time, and the impact of the trade on the team.
Who is Marcus Stroman?
Marcus Stroman is a right-handed starting pitcher who was born on May 1, 1991, in Medford, New York. He played college baseball at Duke University before being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft.
Stroman made his MLB debut for the Blue Jays in 2014, and quickly became a standout pitcher in the league. He was named to the American League All-Star team in 2017 and was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic in 2017, pitching for the United States team.
Before the trade, Stroman had spent his entire MLB career with the Blue Jays, compiling a record of 47-45 with a 3.76 ERA and 711 strikeouts in 782.2 innings pitched.
He was known for his ability to induce ground balls, with a career ground ball rate of 59.2%, which was one of the highest rates among all MLB pitchers. His performance had made him one of the most sought-after starting pitchers on the trade market.
The Trade Details
On July 28, 2019, the New York Mets acquired Marcus Stroman from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson.
The trade was made just before the MLB trade deadline, and was seen as a surprising move by the Mets, who were not considered to be contenders at the time.
The trade was made to address the Mets’ pitching needs, as they were in need of a starting pitcher to bolster their rotation. The Mets’ starting pitching had struggled throughout the season, with injuries and poor performance leading to a lack of consistency.
Stroman was seen as a valuable addition to the Mets’ rotation, as he was a proven starter with a track record of success in the league.
In addition to his on-field performance, Stroman was also seen as a good fit for the Mets’ clubhouse culture. He was known for his competitive spirit and his ability to rally his teammates, and was seen as a player who could help to build a winning culture in the Mets’ clubhouse.
Overall, the trade was seen as a win-win for both the Mets and the Blue Jays. The Mets were able to acquire a valuable starting pitcher to address their needs, while the Blue Jays were able to acquire two promising pitching prospects to bolster their farm system.
The Prospects the Mets Traded
Anthony Kay was a left-handed pitching prospect who was drafted by the Mets in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut for the Mets in August 2019, shortly after being traded to the Blue Jays.
Before the trade, Kay had posted a 7-9 record with a 4.26 ERA in 24 starts for the Mets’ Triple-A affiliate. He was seen as a promising prospect with a good fastball and a solid changeup, but there were concerns about his command and his ability to pitch at the major league level.
Simeon Woods-Richardson was a right-handed pitching prospect who was drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He had only pitched in the lower levels of the Mets’ farm system before the trade, but had shown promise in his brief professional career.
Before the trade, Woods-Richardson had posted a 3-8 record with a 4.25 ERA in 20 starts across two levels of the Mets’ farm system.
He was seen as a high-upside prospect with a good fastball and a promising curveball, but was considered a few years away from contributing at the major league level.
The Blue Jays were interested in both Kay and Woods-Richardson because of their potential as starting pitchers. Kay was seen as a pitcher with a high ceiling, but also had some question marks surrounding his ability to command his pitches.
Woods-Richardson, on the other hand, was seen as a pitcher with a lot of upside, but also needed more development time in the minor leagues. The Blue Jays were looking to build up their farm system and saw these two prospects as valuable additions to their organization.
Overall, the trade was seen as a good move for both teams, as the Mets were able to acquire a valuable starting pitcher, while the Blue Jays were able to acquire two promising prospects for the future.
Marcus Stroman’s Performance With the Mets
After being traded to the Mets, Marcus Stroman made 11 starts for the team in the 2019 season. He posted a 4-2 record with a 3.77 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched.
Stroman’s ground ball rate remained one of the highest in the league, at 60.1%, and he also showed improved control, posting a walk rate of just 2.6 per nine innings pitched.
In the 2020 season, Stroman opted out due to concerns over COVID-19 and did not play for the Mets. He returned to the team in 2021, making 33 starts and posting a 10-13 record with a 3.02 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 179.2 innings pitched.
He continued to induce ground balls at a high rate, with a ground ball rate of 56.1%, and also showed improved strikeout ability, posting a strikeout rate of 7.1 per nine innings pitched.
Overall, Stroman’s performance with the Mets has been solid, and he has shown that he can be a valuable contributor to the team’s rotation. His ground ball rate has remained a strength, and his improved control and strikeout ability have made him an even more effective pitcher.
While his ERA with the Mets is slightly higher than his career average, it is important to note that he has pitched in a hitter-friendly ballpark at Citi Field, which may have contributed to some of his higher numbers.
In comparison to his career statistics, Stroman’s ERA with the Mets is slightly higher than his career ERA of 3.76. However, his improved control and strikeout ability with the Mets suggest that he has made some adjustments to his pitching approach, which could lead to even more success in the future.
Overall, the Mets’ trade for Stroman appears to have been a good move, as he has proven to be a valuable addition to the team’s rotation.
The Trade Details for the Mets’ Acquisition of Marcus Stroman
| Trade Details | |
|---|---|
| Date | July 28, 2019 |
| Mets Receive | Marcus Stroman |
| Blue Jays Receive | Anthony Kay, Simeon Woods-Richardson |
| Analysis | The Mets added a proven starting pitcher to their rotation, while the Blue Jays received two promising pitching prospects for their farm system. The trade has ultimately benefited both teams. |
FAQs
What was the reaction of Mets fans to the trade for Marcus Stroman?
The reaction among Mets fans was mixed, with some fans skeptical of the trade, while others were excited to see a proven starting pitcher added to the team’s rotation.
Did the Mets give up too much for Marcus Stroman?
This is a subjective question, and opinions vary. However, many experts believe that the Mets gave up a fair amount for Stroman, as he is a proven starting pitcher with a track record of success.
Why did Marcus Stroman opt out of the 2020 season?
Stroman opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns over COVID-19. He cited the health and safety of his family as his top priority.
How does Marcus Stroman fit into the Mets’ plans for the future?
Marcus Stroman is currently signed to a one-year contract with the Mets, and the team will have to decide whether to extend him or let him walk in free agency after the 2021 season. However, Stroman has shown that he can be a valuable contributor to the team’s rotation, and the Mets will likely consider keeping him as part of their plans for the future.
Did the Mets make any other moves at the trade deadline in 2019?
Yes, in addition to the trade for Marcus Stroman, the Mets also acquired pitcher Marcus Walden from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Rick Porcello.
Conclusion
The New York Mets made a bold move in acquiring starting pitcher Marcus Stroman from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson.
While the trade was initially met with some skepticism, Stroman has proven to be a valuable addition to the Mets’ rotation. His ability to induce ground balls at a high rate, improved control, and increased strikeout ability have made him an effective pitcher for the team.
Though the Mets gave up two promising prospects in Kay and Woods-Richardson, the trade has ultimately benefited both teams, with the Blue Jays adding to their farm system and the Mets adding a valuable starter to their rotation.
Overall, the trade for Marcus Stroman has been a success for the Mets, and he should continue to be a key contributor to the team’s success in the future.
