The main focus around contract extension talks for the New York Mets of late of course, has been Michael Conforto and Francisco Lindor. However, one of the impending free agents who is often forgotten about is Marcus Stroman.
The right-hander has been dialed in this spring and figures to be a key piece of the 2021 New York Mets’ starting rotation, especially with Carlos Carrasco injured. Following Tuesday afternoon’s win over the Miami Marlins, Stroman was asked if there’s been any talks about a potential extension with the Mets.
“We haven’t gone down that road at all. I’m open to it, but like I said, I’m focused on doing everything I can to help this team win, I think we’re truly special. My main focus is getting my mind and my body right so I can go out there and be dominant for 30+ starts,” the crafty right-hander said.
Through five Grapefruit League starts, Stroman has certainly shown that he’s locked in this spring. The righty struggled a bit late in Monday afternoon’s outing, but was still able to put together a solid effort, throwing five innings of three-run ball.
Stroman struck out Miguel Rojas to start off his afternoon, but ran into some early trouble. Starling Marte lined a double off the top of the right field fence, but the next batter Stroman flashed the leather and helped himself out.
Jesus Aguilar rolled a come-backer to Stroman, and the Gold Glover caught Marte too far off the base for the second out of the inning. After Garret Cooper blooped a single into shallow right-center, Brian Anderson struck out swinging to end the inning.
Stroman seemed to settle in, and retired the Marlins in order on three easy groundouts in the top of the second. The Marlins put a man in scoring position in the third, but the next two batters were retired easily and Miguel Rojas was stranded at second.
Miami scratched across their first run against Stroman in the top of the fourth. Garrett Cooper lined a double down the left field line, he advanced to third on a Brian Anderson ground out, and then came into score on an Adam Duvall sacrifice fly.
Stroman was knocked around a bit the third time through the order. Met-killer Miguel Rojas took him to the deepest part of the ballpark for a game-tying two-run home run. Stroman came back out for the sixth, and allowed a pair of soft hit singles before being pulled for the afternoon.
Jacob Barnes entered and was able to pick up Stroman, retiring the next three hitters in order. In total, the right-hander threw 76 pitches and allowed three runs on nine hits while striking out three over five innings.
Despite the late struggles on Monday afternoon, Stroman has been a man on a mission this spring. Over 18.1 innings of work, the 29-year old has allowed seven runs on 18 hits, while striking out 17 and walking just two.
If Stroman can carry this success over to the 2021 regular season, he’ll certainly make a very strong case to remain a key piece of this core, and stay in New York for the long-term.
