Stroman signs with Cubs

*Photo from the New York Post*

   After a season full of subtractions, the Chicago Cubs have their first big addition of free agency. The Cubs and RHP Marcus Stroman have agreed to a 3 year, $71 million deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The deal was first announced by Stroman and has been confirmed by the Cubs.

   There was a quick escalation in contract talks between Stroman and the Cubs, with Stroman quickly hopping on a flight from California to Chicago so he could take the necessary physical and sign the contract before the lockout began. Stroman gets an opt out after 2023, and gets $2 million in bonuses in 2022 and 2023 if he throws more than 160 innings pitched.

   Stroman said of signing with the Cubs that "Obviously, the Cubs, the history, the tradition here, it’s one of the best franchises in all of sports, and one of the best fanbases as well. It’s extremely appealing to me. It sells out every single night. To pitch in front of that electric crowd is something that draws me. Once he told me Cubs were in play, my senses were heightened."

   After returning from an opt out of the 2020 season due to Covid-19 concerns, Stroman returned very good, pitching to a 10-13 record with a 3.02 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, striking out 158 hitters and throwing an even 179 innings, making 33 starts for the New York Mets, who failed to make the playoffs. 

   In 7 seasons in the majors, split between the Mets and Toronto Blue Jays, Stroman has a 61-60 career record, with a 3.63 ERA and 1.26 WHIP, throwing 1,028 1/3 innings while making 173 starts and 6 relief appearances. In 5 career playoff starts, Stroman has a 1-1 record, allowing 15 earned runs in 30 2/3 innings pitched, split between the 2015 and 2016 playoffs.

   Asked about returning in 2021 after not playing in 2020, Stroman said "After pitching zero innings, I was definitely a little worried. I think anyone would be a little worried knowing you’re going into a free-agent year after pitching zero innings. I put in an incredible amount of work from the time I opted out, to prepare for that next season."

   Stroman is a sinker specialist of a pitcher, throwing 42.3 percent two seamers that compliments a heavy pitch arsenal. Stroman also throws split fingered fastballs, a 4 seam fastball, cutter, curveball, and a slider. His average fastball velocity was in the 24th percentile in baseball, but he is a heavy ground ball pitcher.

   Stroman will join a Cubs rotation that features Kyle Hendricks, Alec Mills, Adbert Alzolay, and waiver claim Wade Miley, with Justin Steele and Keegan Thompson as other candidates to start games for the Cubs.