What Happened to Marcus Stroman?

Marcus Stroman is a highly-regarded pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB), known for his tenacity and competitive spirit on the mound.

Since being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2012, Stroman has made a name for himself as a reliable starter and an asset to any team he’s played for.

However, Stroman’s career trajectory took a surprising turn in 2021 when he signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

This move marked a significant change in Stroman’s career, as well as an exciting development for Cubs fans. In this blog post, we’ll explore Stroman’s career to date, his time with the New York Mets, and what led him to sign with the Cubs.

We’ll also take a look at what this move could mean for Stroman’s future, as well as the Cubs’ future as a team.

Stroman’s Early Career

Marcus Stroman was born on May 1, 1991, in Medford, New York. He grew up in a family of athletes, with his mother and grandmother having played softball, and his father having played semi-professional football.

Stroman played baseball in high school and went on to attend Duke University, where he played college baseball.

At Duke, Stroman was a standout player, earning several accolades and awards during his time there. He was named a Freshman All-American in 2010 and was a three-time All-ACC selection. In his final year at Duke, Stroman had a 9-4 record with a 2.29 ERA and 136 strikeouts in 98 innings pitched.

After his junior year at Duke, Stroman was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft, 22nd overall. He began his professional career in the minor leagues, where he quickly moved up through the ranks. In 2014, he made his debut with the Blue Jays, starting in 20 games and finishing with a 3.65 ERA.

Over the course of his career with the Blue Jays, Stroman continued to improve and establish himself as a reliable starting pitcher.

He was named an All-Star for the first time in 2017, finishing the season with a 3.09 ERA and a 13-9 record. In 2019, he was named an All-Star for the second time and finished the season with a 2.96 ERA and a 10-13 record.

Stroman’s success on the mound wasn’t just limited to his time with the Blue Jays. He also played for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he helped lead the team to a gold medal.

Overall, Stroman’s early career was marked by impressive performances, strong statistics, and a reputation as a hard-working and talented pitcher.

Stroman’s Time With the New York Mets

In July 2019, Marcus Stroman was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for two pitching prospects.

The move was somewhat surprising, as the Mets were not considered to be playoff contenders at the time and Stroman had previously stated his desire to play for a contender.

Stroman’s time with the Mets got off to a rocky start, as he struggled in his first few starts with the team. However, he quickly rebounded and finished the 2019 season strong, posting a 3.77 ERA and a 4-2 record in his 11 starts with the team.

Stroman’s 2020 season was an unusual one, as he initially decided to opt out of the season due to concerns about COVID-19.

However, he later changed his mind and ultimately decided to pitch for the Mets. Despite the shortened season and unusual circumstances, Stroman performed well, finishing the year with a 3.22 ERA and a 4-2 record.

In the offseason, the Mets offered Stroman a qualifying offer, which he accepted. This meant that he would remain with the team for the 2021 season on a one-year contract worth $18.9 million.

Stroman performed well during the 2021 season, finishing with a 3.02 ERA and a 10-13 record. He also set a new career high in strikeouts, with 168 in 179.1 innings pitched.

Overall, Stroman’s time with the Mets was marked by ups and downs. While he initially struggled after being traded to the team, he ultimately proved to be a valuable asset on the mound.

His decision to opt out of the 2020 season was controversial, but he ultimately returned to the team and performed well.

His decision to accept the qualifying offer for the 2021 season was seen as a vote of confidence in the team, and he rewarded that confidence with a strong performance on the mound.

Stroman’s Move to the Chicago Cubs

On December 1, 2021, it was announced that Marcus Stroman had signed a three-year contract worth $71 million with the Chicago Cubs. The signing was a major move for the Cubs, who were looking to improve their starting pitching after a disappointing 2021 season.

Stroman’s signing was seen as a major coup for the Cubs, as he is widely regarded as one of the best starting pitchers in the league.

His ability to generate ground balls and limit home runs is particularly valuable, as it is well-suited to Wrigley Field, which is known for being a hitter-friendly ballpark.

Additionally, Stroman’s reputation as a hard worker and leader was seen as a good fit for a Cubs team that was looking to build a winning culture.

One interesting note about Stroman’s signing is that he will be the first ever Cub to wear the uniform number 0.

This is significant because the number 0 is relatively uncommon in baseball, with only a few players in history having worn it.

It is also a departure from the Cubs’ tradition of retiring uniform numbers, as the team has not retired the number 0.

Stroman’s signing was a major headline for Cubs fans, and he was immediately seen as a key part of the team’s future.

He solidified his importance to the team by starting on Opening Day for the 2023 season, showing that the Cubs view him as a top-of-the-rotation starter who can help lead the team to success.

Here is a Table About Marcus Stroman’s Career Statistics in the Mlb:

This table summarizes some of the key career statistics for Marcus Stroman, including his win-loss record, earned run average (ERA), innings pitched, strikeouts, and more. It also notes his two All-Star appearances and one Gold Glove award.

FAQs

How did Marcus Stroman get his start in baseball?

Marcus Stroman began playing baseball at a young age and went on to play college baseball at Duke University. He was then drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft.

What is Marcus Stroman’s pitching style?

Stroman is known for his ability to generate ground balls, which he does by relying on a sinker and a slider. He is also effective at limiting home runs, as he has a career HR/9 rate of just 0.9.

What awards has Marcus Stroman won?

Stroman has been named to the All-Star team twice, in 2017 and 2019. He also won a Gold Glove award in 2017.

What was Marcus Stroman’s reason for opting out of the 2020 MLB season?

Stroman opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. He cited the health and safety of his family as the primary reason for his decision.

How has Marcus Stroman performed in postseason games?

Stroman has only appeared in two postseason games in his career, both with the Blue Jays in 2016. In those games, he pitched a total of 11 innings and allowed four runs, earning a 3.27 ERA.

Conclusion

Marcus Stroman has had a successful career in the MLB, starting from his college days at Duke University and his early years with the Toronto Blue Jays.

He continued to impress during his time with the New York Mets, ultimately signing a lucrative contract with the Chicago Cubs in December 2021.

Stroman’s signing was seen as a major move for the Cubs, who were looking to improve their starting pitching, and he was immediately viewed as a key part of the team’s future.

His ability to generate ground balls and limit home runs is particularly valuable, as it is well-suited to Wrigley Field, and his reputation as a hard worker and leader is a good fit for a Cubs team looking to build a winning culture.

Overall, Stroman’s career has been marked by consistent success and a dedication to improving his craft. He is a valuable asset to any team he plays for, and his future in the MLB looks bright.