The free agent market has been slower than usual this winter, but one area of the market that has stayed fairly consistently active throughout the offseason has been the starting pitching market. More than half of the league entered the offseason in hopes of acquiring a starter or two this winter, and deals have come together for many of them. While the Yoshinobu Yamamoto sweepstakes have held things up for many top-of-the-market options, potential mid-rotation arms have seen no such delay in free agency as players like Kenta Maeda, Lucas Giolito, Seth Lugo, Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Wacha, and Nick Martinez have all been among the players to come off the board since free agency officially opened in early November.
That flurry of activity has left the pickings fairly slim in this area of the market, even as the top of the market still features the likes of Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery and plenty of lower-level options like James Paxton and Sean Manaea remain available. One mid-rotation piece who has yet to be taken off the market is right-hander Marcus Stroman, who opted out of the final year and $21MM on his contract with the Cubs to test free agency last month. Since Stroman’s decision, there has been little public interest in the right-handers services. The Royals reportedly engaged with the righty earlier this offseason, though the club added both Lugo and Wacha to their rotation since then and appear to be done making significant additions to the roster.
It’s somewhat understandable that Stroman hasn’t generated major interest so far this offseason. The right-hander is entering his age-33 season, meaning he’s older than the likes of Rodriguez, Wacha, and Giolito. What’s more, the righty is coming off a injury-marred campaign in Chicago where he missed six weeks due to a rib cartilage fracture and posted a brutal 8.29 ERA across his final 11 appearances with the Cubs. That clubs may be hesitant about a pitcher entering his mid-thirties who struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness in the second half last year is hardly surprising, but that lack of interest could make Stroman one of the more undervalued assets available in free agency this offseason.
After all, Stroman was among the most dominant pitchers in baseball in the first half, with a sterling 2.28 ERA in 98 2/3 innings of work across his first sixteen starts of the season. That dominant performance earned Stroman the second All Star nod of his career, and while the righty’s 3.33 FIP and .235 BABIP indicate some of that exceptional run prevention may have been due to good fortune, that FIP was still considerably better than league average and his incredible 59.9% groundball rate surely helped to explain his unusually low home run rate. Meanwhile, Stroman’s atrocious results in the second half were generally not backed up by underlying metrics; his aforementioned 8.29 ERA in the second half was more than four runs higher than his far more palatable 4.23 FIP, and his strikeout and walk rates only worsened slightly as he punched out 19.3% of batters faced while walking 9.6%.
Taken together, Stroman’s 2023 season paints a picture of a playoff-caliber, mid-rotation arm: the right-hander posted a 3.95 ERA (113 ERA+) with a 3.58 FIP in 136 2/3 innings of work while striking out 20.7% of batters, walking 9%, and generating grounders at a 57.7% clip across 27 appearances (25 starts). That was good for the 18th-best FIP in baseball last year among pitchers who made at least 25 starts, sandwiched between Montgomery and Mets right-hander Kodai Senga. If Stroman can as much as match his peripheral numbers from 2023 with improved health and batted ball luck, he figures to be a quality piece who could improve the majority of rotations around the league. And while both of his seasons in Chicago saw the right-hander miss time due to injury, Stroman has made 32+ starts four times in his career, most recently in 2021 as a member of the Mets.
The Cubs have been connected to pitchers such as Shota Imanaga in free agency and Shane Bieber via trade this offseason, and Stroman previously publicly expressed his desire to remain in Chicago long-term over the summer, ahead of the trade deadline. While a reunion between the sides has not been rumored to this point in the offseason, the Cubs certainly remain a fit for the righty’s services as they look for an additional arm to pair with Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, and Jameson Taillon in the rotation. Looking beyond Chicago, the Red Sox are in the hunt for pitching and could benefit from pairing Stroman’s stable, mid-rotation production with higher variance pitchers like Giolito and Brayan Bello, while the Giants, Padres, Yankees, and Rangers are among the many teams who could look for rotation upgrades going forward this offseason.
Though many of those clubs would surely prefer to add a player such as Snell, Montgomery, or even Imanaga to their rotation mix, each of those southpaws is expected to garner $100MM or more on the open market. At this point in the offseason, teams hoping to add a playoff-caliber starter without breaking the bank will be hard-pressed to find a better option than Stroman, who was projected by MLBTR for just two years and $44MM in our annual Top 50 MLB free agents list. That appears to be more or less par for the course in the mid-rotation market, as Giolito landed a two-year, $38.5MM deal with the Red Sox while Lugo received a three-year, $45MM guarantee from the Royals. If Stroman does garner a similar contract to the other mid-rotation arms available this winter, it’s easy to imagine the deal proving to be among the more cost-effective pitching signings of the offseason should he manage a full, healthy season in 2024.
Yanks2
Clubhouse cancer but can pitch
danm-6
He is?
Buckner
You better believe it. Bad news.
Pulls the _ace card whenever convenient.
deweybelongsinthehall
Let’s see if his opting out was right given he was previously looking for a Cubs’ extension. Personally, I wouldn’t touch him unless it was 08/31, the team was already in the playoffs but they had lost EVERY starter the previous week to TJ surgery.
OIC2021
That’s why he’s expected to sign with the Guardians, the only woke MLB team
runningwithnailclippers
@Buckner Which race card? When he defended himself after Brenly said some crap about his durag that he was rightfully wearing? Or the time when Mets fans (and probably more) use the n word at black players? What is your issue? Does it make you upset when a black man says something that hurts your feelings?
Oldguy58
Hey running, Brenly made a joke that had nothing racially insensitive about it. He said Marcus Stroman’s doo rag is from the Tom Seaver collection, and that’s supposed to be racist? Stroman saw it as an opportunity for attention. It’s very convenient to go race card when some want to use it . Boo hoo grow a pair or is that insulting what you identify as today?
runningwithnailclippers
Go vote for Trump and eat your oatmeal.
Buckner
Strong. Good one Marcus.
Blue Baron
@Buckner: Just say RACE card. The Internet won’t explode.
ImACubsFanSoWhat
He’s been fantastic with Toronto and Chicago. Must be a NYC problem.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Buckner
Did you mean Stroman pitches like an “ace” or that you are a race-baiting bi-got?
Stroman was liked in the Cubs dugout although I heard he was not when he was much younger with the Blue Jays. Millionaire sports stars mature just like the rest of us.
If I was the Cubs front office I would offer Stroman a “Giolito” deal in a split second, like the guy, he is a competitor, but the chance that an injuries lingers make me unwilling to suggest more than two years.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
@buckner
He almost pulled off the “Ace card” too, he had a 2.4 era early in the season, begged the Cubs to sign him to an extension, then crashed and burned. As much as I dislike the Mets, you can’t call an entire fan base racist and e talk trash behind their back and expect them to be super stoked on you.
SalaryCapMyth
Sigh..people who use the word woke are idiots.
bobthemetfan
I’d be interested to know where you got your info about Mets fans and maybe more using the n word at black players ? Why is Marcus the only player saying that? It upsets me when any person says things to get attention and or sympathy by telling stories that simply aren’t true. My feelings aren’t hurt but I am annoyed.
Ella B
Buckner:”Marcus, you are a sensitive little boy. Someday you will mature. Probably when you are up for parole.”
Hey buckner, aka douchebag, your hood is showing.
Ella B
Manny- buckner is a race-baiting loser, appropriate of his namesake.
Wadz
Liberals were proud to flaunt it until it became essentially an insult
Buckner
@ Ella – Just typing what a lot of people are saying. Sorry if your “feelings” are hurt. Grow up.
I’m sure you’ll get over it. Some year.
Marcus $troman has a world of talent. He’s just an immature idiot and wears out his welcome everywhere he goes.
He is a professional bridge burner. Based on interviews I’ve seen, he has no class, and his behavior is what you see in the NBA.
And there will be at least one owner stupid enough to pay him a ridiculous amount of money. And then that owner, and the fans of that team will have to ride through “the Marcus $troman experience.”
Just hope it’s not the Phillies.
RandalGrichuksStubble
Some people claim to be woke. So them, or those that see them as reptiles?
Blue Baron
@Buckner: And how many MLB teams have you played on that you know so much about it and him?
Wrian Washman
The ‘ol “iz it cuz I’m black” never gets old.
its_happening
Stro burned the bridge nicely in Toronto on his way out. Wanted an extension before 2018, sulked, had a bad year and didn’t handle himself well during poor performances. Then turned it around in 2019, wanted an extension, sulked when he didn’t get it. When he heard he was traded to the Mets he was not happy. Tons of commotion in the locker room and one coach was fired as a result.
Although that is one team, word spreads to other organizations. If he did the same thing with the Mets it makes sense teams are somewhat tentative given his age, antics and other factors.
CleaverGreene
He didn’t call me anything…I don”t do twitter or X.
drasco036
I think it’s funny when people attempt to say their dislike for Stroman isn’t race related but their arguments always circle back to Stromans twitter and accusing him of race baiting.
It’s always the “I’m not racists but…” excuse.
Chris from NJ
He was good in New York. It’s not his pitching. He really lacks accountability. He did the same thing in New York that he did last year in Chicago. He pitches well for a few months,then he wants an extension. When he doesn’t get what he wants he gets surly. He forgets that part of his job description is talking to the press and so on and so forth.
Yanksfan1030
Of course you have to turn this into politics….after turning it racial. I hope you realize “go vote for trump” doesn’t insult anyone anymore when the other guy people voted for has us paying double for everything.
its_happening
Not about racism Drascoo. It’s always about character with Stro.
drasco036
Is it his charity or his constant praise of teammates that angers you so much about his character.
Ella B
Great, so you figured that since others are racist you might as well join? Typical low-IQ fool that lacks the ability to think on their own. Enjoy the hate, douchebag.
Awesom-O
He blocked me on X just for defending him lol
Blue Baron
@Brian frigging: Why are you so obsessed with calling people snowflakes?
drasco036
Baron, because what’s old is new again.
Pretty soon he will be calling people “Karen” and ending his posts with “next”.
I feel the bigger concern however is his use of “bro”. I’m sure his profile picture is of him wearing a backwards hat, Oakley sunglasses and a horizontally stripped polo shirt
its_happening
Nope. Childish antics in 2018 with the Jays, his socials, his pouting, his drama. I guess you don’t follow him enough to understand.
deweybelongsinthehall
Running, you can be both a Trump and Stroman hater. I know
andremets
@Ella B, you’re the only racist I see. Put your hood away.
Ronl
He is a head case. The Cards have seen this play out in Wrigley.
metsoptimist
I don’t think that he’s truly a bad guy, but he definitely has a tendency to lash out when he feels (rightly or wrongly) that his ability is being called into question.
TigersLoveCinnamon
Not calling you a liar, but i’ve never heard of him being a cancer, any links?
bjhaas1977
Google it! Check YouTube out there’s like 20 videos about it.
TigersLoveCinnamon
YouTube vids are kinda biased usually, guess I’ll go for Google
runningwithnailclippers
Very true. If one video is made being negative and it gets views, then suddenly all the YT’ers decide to follow suit.
Oldguy58
He’s a problem. I’m a Cubs fan in the Chicago area and believe me he’s a Me guy not a team guy. The Cubs were hoping he would opt out.
LetTheGoodTimesROFL
Unfair assessment. Most Cubs fans wanted him to opt out because of his drop off in production. If he would have pitched like the first half of the season they’d love to have him
Seamaholic
He was the Cubs Clemente Award nominee. Can’t be all that bad a dude.
TigersLoveCinnamon
Yeah I just saw the name, probably another 27 rings. Was gonna say, he’s spoken very highly of the giants for no reason after he didn’t sign w them, seems odd for a cancer
baseballteam
The Clemente award is a political award like most awards these days.
runningwithnailclippers
What are you talking about? All awards have a biased applied to them. Politcal? Let me guess you vote on the right side.
Oldguy58
Oh stop
runningwithnailclippers
Oh when are you going to question my manhood next? I served and did you?
its_happening
You identify as a man?
baseballteam
Incorrect.
SocoComfort
Who cares who he votes for. Both sides act like fools. EVERYBODY LOVE EVERYBODY.
CleaverGreene
IDK if it is, my guess is that it’s not and you just perceive it to be.
Chris from NJ
Kirby Puckett and Curt Schilling won the Clemente award. Both are not shining examples of virtue.
Wheeler Dealer
He’s injured stay far away
Snake65
Agree 100%. Guy is a trouble maker and a millionaire “victim”
garyleet
Marcus did the Cubs a solid by opting out. Still can’t believe he did that.
pohle
maybe, but hes still going to beat the $20M he left in chicago. where montas can get 16 after throwing one time in a major league game setting, stroman could very well approach $50M perhaps over two years with an opt out. i would expect higher than giolito’s deal.
phenomenalajs
I’m not so sure. Eventually the music stops in musical chairs and you’re left without a chair. Even the teams that lost out on Giolito are not going to rush to give him a bigger deal. Imanaga will be the next domino to fall in that tier.
CleaverGreene
Nope, there are plenty of empty chairs for starting pitchers.
Hashtag-allmyteamssuck
Yeah phenom, there are so many open chairs this offseason. The need for sp is ridiculous this year. He’ll get a decent offer somewhere. Someone will bank on his consistency and fip related metrics.
stymeedone
True, but eventually the chairs that are left have lower prices or fewer years associated with them.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
I’m not sure. Technically by WAR, Giolito was a better pitcher (1.7 to Stroman’s 1.6). Obviously close enough to say they are the same.
While Stroman was better in ERA and FIP, he doesn’t come close to Giolito in innings pitched and swing and miss stuff.
If someone gives him 50 million over 2 years, it’s an easy overpay.
C Yards Jeff
Giolito is younger with smaller injury history
TrumboRedux
I would say the Halo’s should pick him up, but I don’t wanna see him and Rendon in some sort of gang war with each other.
holycow16
He’s a great fit for Boston… please go.
deweybelongsinthehall
He’s not a great fit for Boston…please no.
Wheeler Dealer
As a Cub fan you don’t want this guy in a large media market he’s a nut job, it’s always something with this weirdo
Cknyc
pride of long island.
not.
deweybelongsinthehall
Reminding me of that, makes me proud to live on Long Island…not. At least it is … a LONG island.
Still in talks
Napoleon complex
2183281
iTalk studios just did a video about him on YT about his antics. Can still be a solid arm, but teams could stay away because of his track record with the media, teammates and fan. Sort of a roll of the dice opting out of 12 million. I’m curious what he could get on the open market.
Buckner
He seems very immature. Pattern of blaming someone or something else for poor outings. He’s a whiner, complainer and pitches “when he wants to.”
Not a team guy.
No thanks. Hard pass. Let him go. Elsewhere.
Longtimecoming
Let’s go Dodgers – sign him for 2 / 60 with 58 deferred to 2070.
Wire to wire 2024
Before the montas signing I was hoping the red legs would get him
stretch123
After the Montas deal, Stroman May land 2 year 60 million deal LOL
LFGMets (Metsin7) #ConsistentlyBannedBaseballExpert
Stroman will sign with the Angels. Ron Washington’s choices in the coaching staff makes this pretty obvious. Only one type of guy is good in the eyes of Washington, leave that to your own imagination
DarkSide830
You’re a nutcase.
metsoptimist
I think I have an inkling as to why he’s been banned.
Blue Baron
@DarkSide830: Ya think?
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
What are you talking about? Ron Washington is a class act.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Ron Washington other than his drug use.
ilikebaseball 2
He cheated on his wife, I’m sure she was short of nice things to say at the time. He’s a great baseball guy though.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
Cheating on your wife is a pretty crappy thing to do but that doesn’t necessarily make you a bad person. We have all made mistakes and done messed up things, unfortunately that’s part of the human experience. Recognizing those mistakes and growing from them is the most important thing.
pirateking24
He’s a good guy who couldn’t keep his pants zipped.
ilikebaseball 2
Triggered the cheater, I never said he was a bad person, I just said his wife didn’t have anything nice to say at the time. Be a man and go tell your wife about your obvious transgressions.
stymeedone
“Cheating on your wife … doesn’t necessarily make you a bad person.”
Yes. Yes it does.
towinagain
Padres should be in on him. Will they? No.
Padres, as an organization, are a mess.
10centBeerNight
Current price of SP is something else
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
If Lucas Giolito got 37.5mil over 2 years. Marcus Stroman is bound to get at least that. He had a great first half of 2023 but from the game in lonson (which was almost unbearable to even watch because A-Rod and Michael Kay were calling the game for some reason) he was below average or worse after that start. Which 1. The cubs should’ve won and 2. Stro left with an injury.
Wheeler Dealer
Thankfully he opted out of his Cubs contract omg he’s a head case
Whyme
Good pitcher especially if you have a good defense.
StreakingBlue
I think he is a solid rotation guy, but the longer he waits to sign the less he will get. I would think he would be a solid add as from afar he is a high character guy.
greg1
He definitely doesn’t do himself any favours with his personality. He was a jerk while in Toronto, and I’m sure that hasn’t changed much in his other stops.
That said, he is a mid-rotation quality pitcher who has stayed reasonably healthy throughout his career, and there aren’t many guys like him left on the market that won’t cost $100M+. If someone can grab him on a 1+1 with an AAV of $20-$25M, it’s definitely worth picking him up.
its_happening
StroMEn made a business decision. Given his antics one must wonder if he could have returned mid-September. Makes sense that he made a personal decision above the team. Behind the rhetoric and the keyboard he’s about building his own brand. Suppose that’s the way some players are built.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
Out of all the deals handed out to the middle of the rotation/ B tier pitchers this year I got to say that I like the Kenta Maeda 2 year 24m contract the best. Maeda is a solid 3 starter and the stuff is there to be even better!
rememberthecoop
Let me tell you, if a guy like Giolito can get close to 20, you got to think Monty will get close to 30 and Snell close to 40 (AAV). Monty might top 200M .The pitching market is crazy.
619MetroFriars
Friars?
RandalGrichuksStubble
You must hate the Padres.
Cody1981
Giants their new Cueto
rememberthecoop
The Cubs were not happy with the way Stro tried to negotiate through the media. He kept pointing out there were no extensions being offered, and that didn’t sit well with Jed and his merry band of conservative, intelligent spenders. I don’t feel a reunion is coming.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Coop
Baseball is a business, everyone will make the best deal for themselves.
Be very happy to see Stroman back on a one or two year deal, or even two years at $20 million with an opt-out after one year. I worry only about lingering injury, not his being a little outspoken.
Old York
Sadly, given the market for SP this winter, he’s going to be paid well but his kwERA has been averaging around 3.80+ over the 9 year career and a Forecasted Run Average (FRA) from 2023 of 4.93. This suggests that he’s overperforming his actual pitching ability but this is probably due to the fact that he’s relied a lot on the GB% (56.7 career average).
Overall, he’s overperformed his FRA by about 1 run.
Year Age ERA xERA FRA ERA-FRA
2015 24 1.67 3.44 4.40 -2.73
2016 25 4.37 3.93 4.61 -0.24
2017 26 3.09 4.24 4.39 -1.30
2018 27 5.54 4.45 4.68 0.86
2019 28 3.22 3.72 4.20 -0.98
2021 30 3.02 4.30 4.32 -1.30
2022 31 3.5 3.94 4.52 -1.02
2023 32 3.95 4.27 4.93 -0.98
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Old York
Why is it “sad” for him to get paid what the market gives?
Old York
@MannyBeingMVP
Because the value won’t be there. Sure, it’s not my money so the owners can spend what they want.
Old York
@Brian frigging Downing
What’s even worse is that pitchers like Greg Maddox, during his peak in the mid-90s was making in 2023 dollars, $18.5M/year. So, a guy like Stroman possibly making $15.6M per year, according to Spotrac’s website seems ludicrous. A guy who had a 2+ ERA during his prime vs. a guy who’s career ERA sits around 4+. The market for SP is overvalued significantly, especially given that they no longer go longer than 5 innings because they reached their pitch count of 100.
stymeedone
Always find it amusing when “stats” point to what happened not being what should have happened. When it’s rare for those “stats” to agree with the outcome, maybe its time to question how those “stats” are being used. Consistently being wrong on the actual outcome implies that the theory behind them is wrong.
Old York
@stymeedone
Clearly, stats are not your thing. The data is showing you what to expect from his pitching for what he can control. It doesn’t factor in external factors that are out of the control of the pitcher but it is more reliable of a predictor than looking at last year’s ERA. Now, GBkwERA does a decent job of factoring in that factor as well as FIP but ultimately it’s up to the pitcher to perform. Even xERA, which is accepted as a stat on here is suggesting a 4+ ERA is what should be expected from Stroman. Do you plan to play him $20M per year for a 4+ ERA? Is that how deluded the SP market has become? I guess well soon see guys with 5+ ERAs making $25M per year.
Ra
@stymeedone
FIP is garbage. There is a good reason why no scientific research throws out 80% of the data points and claims they are “pure luck.”
Ra
Seems you are not educated in how to use quotation marks correctly. A community college that offers remedial English classes could benefit you.
longines64
When he decided to pitch for PR in the WBC after winning with team USA, that was a way of saying it’s about me.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Longines
So did Francisco Lindor (US then PR) and Johnny Damon (US then Thailand), 🙂
stymeedone
Or was it a way of saying he wasn’t asked by Team USA?
Tigersin2050
Still think Baltimore makes most sense for Stroman. Feel they could handle the personality and are ready for the $ commitment, Who knows.
SalaryCapMyth
youtu.be/wAYRLfSTkHY?si=qDZZw0_7-n9ath5j
For anyone who would like to watch a vid on why Marcus Stroman is hated.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Salary Cap
youtube.com/watch?v=pkfvEZhPKD8
youtube.com/watch?v=tDPXUjNfPGQ
youtube.com/watch?v=e8Wy51ZtMXQ
cplwhite
Odd how every team Strohman has pitched for refuses to resign him. Cubs should of traded him before going to England.
Ra
“Should HAVE,” in English.
Ra
Helping the poorly educated.
Deez Cardinals
He opted out towards a pay cut lol!!! Should have played out the contract.
Rsox
Stroman isn’t getting a long term deal and probably shouldn’t have opted out of his deal. On a one year deal the Orioles, Pirates, Rangers, Marlins, Padres, Giants all make some degree of sense.
Stroman’s market is as non-existent as Snell’s because they are not worth the headaches they bring with them (it’s no coincidence there’s been zero buzz around Tim Anderson either)
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Silly comparison to Tim Anderson – Tim is not a good player and only deserves a minor league offer with no invite to spring training to see if he can prove himself.
Stroman was a Cy Young candidate in the first half of 2023 and Snell was the Cy Young winner. Snell most certainly is getting a $100+ million deal and Stroman most certainly will get a major league offer the only issue with Stroman is how healthy is he now, not this nonsense that a short person of color can’t express his opinion. Stroman is not the first player to make the mistake of trying to pressure a team into negotiating publicly. His Cubs’ teammates liked him, that is good enough for me. I have heard plenty of them say that loud and clear.
CleaverGreene
Any team that negotiates with Stroman needs to have a social media opt out clause.
That said, he’s a fit for most any team in MLB.
Hashtag-allmyteamssuck
Brian, to be fair, Tim’s down year was atrociously poor. .582 ops, no walks and zero power (1 hr in almost 500 ab?)
His fielding metrics tanked as well I believe. I know WAR can sometimes be a useless stat, but I feel the -2 WAR on 2023 definitely raises some major red flags.
He might get a minor league deal or a spring invite, but I bet zero teams will sign him for any more than that.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Brian
\
Tim Anderson WAS (past tense) very talented.
But he was -2.0 WAR in 2023, with one home run all season, on base percentage of 0.286, and a slugging percentage of 0.296. OPS+ 60.
Unless you have evidence that he played all of 2023 through a serious injury, then I stand by my statement that he is no longer a good player.
Woulkd I gamble on him with a minor league contract, yes. A major league contract, no.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Brian you are not very courteous. You say that I am not a bright human and that I am a fool because you think Tim Anderson is still talented and I disagree. It is reasonable for you to have a different opinion and to conclude that you think some injury accounts for his 2023. But the nastiness is not justified. Then again, you call Stroman a POS which reflects poorly on you, not him. Maybe Stroman is a little bit immature, but he has also done a lot for the community. Time to block you.
Hashtag-allmyteamssuck
Brian, best that Tim is going to get is a one year prove it deal for low money and zero risk. Injured season or not, contact only players that stopped hitting for average generally don’t bounce back.
Maybe he will, but unless he gets that bat to ball capability back, he’s not going to last. And his glove is still atrocious, so his only value is on offense.
Also, going straight to insults when someone points out a player’s you seem to like flaws kind of makes you the snowflake bro. This is a public site. Please do better.
Hashtag-allmyteamssuck
I’m not hurt or offended in any way so I don’t get why you’re calling me a snowflake now. Just pointing out some flaws in your logic.
I like Tim and I hope he turns it around. Unfortunately in 2023 he sucked at pretty much everything. He’s going to need a gm that’s willing to try and see if they can get a rebound, which is hard to do for hitters that don’t walk much. Obp is everything in the modern game didn’t you know?
Hashtag-allmyteamssuck
How was Snell a headache like Stroman? Stro is vocal and can give social media heads some free clicks, but Snell was absolutely beloved by Friar fans and players alike. He was a cool a$$ dude. His pitching sometimes was scary to watch, but some pitchers are like that. Just don’t get why you pinned Snell like Stroman
AmericanRedneck
Should we expect one of these on the younger, more successful, less expensive, less problematic, more beloved by their teammates, Trevor Bauer?
No?! Has MLBTR been told to be quiet on that front, officially, or more so tacitly following the lead MLB has set by making him persona non grata? Reeks of collusion. With the current price of pitching, having a guy who was investigated by folks who would’ve LOVED to make an example out of, yet was never charged, never convicted, never prosecuted and was proven to be a target of extortion, with ZERO ink spilled on the very tangible extortion revelations, is a travesty.
Bauer is guilty of poor judgment, sure. That isn’t a crime. Whoever signs Stroman will wish they signed Bauer on about August 1st, or maybe even April 1st. Stroman opting out will prove to be a poor decision, IMO.
This one belongs to the Reds
What keeps Bauer out of the league goes beyond what you think it does, as many have said here.
He not only burned bridges, he went Bridge over the River Kwai on them. Not to mention there was a long history of incidents going back to Cleveland. Teams don’t want to deal with that when there is a whole lot of talent out there where they don’t have to. I am really surprised a team in Japan did.
But all that doesn’t fit the agenda of those of you spouting this every day.
foppert2
Bauer made himself a problem employee. Nothing to do with his personal life. One can only assume he got carried away with his social media success and came up with the idea that he was bigger than the game. He thought he could go to war with MLB and win. He was wrong. He gave the enemy he created an opening and now he pays the price. There is no travesty. There is no injustice. He started the war. He lost the war.
metsoptimist
He was accused of assault by FOUR women.
OilCanLloyd
Jays are in on everyone it seems. Marcus is a ground ball pitcher and the Jays keep doubling down on defensive players. He could be a fit. Stroman did have Manoah’s back last year on social media. Perhaps he could help lift him back. Feed off each other. The fan base either loves or hates him. Stroman was recently seen in Toronto. Just saying. It would cause a log jam in the rotation. Not a bad problem to have. They must be thinking it if they are going after Rodriguez. Someone to the BP…or traded for a big bat.
Larry D.
The Cubs caught a break.
Bruce wulff
What break? These do nothing cubbies have done zilch and are poised to lose belli and Stroman and others. They put all their eggs in the ohtani basket and now don’t know what to do. As of now, they are better than only the low market pirates in division
Bruce wulff
And losing bellinger only would easily put the cubbies behind the buccos because bellinger was everything to them offensively last year!
Larry D.
The off-season is not over.
Bruce wulff
The cubs have so many holes to fill but after hoyer has preached loudly to all of cubs land and giving false impressions that they’re loaded and ready to be aggressive thi off season, they’ve done the least of any team in baseball
Ra
I’m surprised by how many outspoken racists talk their trash on MLBTR. And that MLBTR condones racism.
It’s all about the views, eh Tim?
Ra
So are the proud racists. Even if that is an oxymoron, you poor little frightened bigots.
Ra
Little boy, your a sad little virgin who’ll never get laid. Keep whackin it, troll. LMFAO!!!
Ra
And thanks for letting us know that racists are the ones who squeal about wokeness. Now I know your shortcomings as soon as you use that word.
Ra
You feel so inferior about your failings that you embrace racism. It only makes you look weaker.
Hey moron, this country has Black people. And Latino people. And Muslims. And Jews. And homosexuals. And all the people you are scared of. You should leave the country, coward.