On Wednesday, Marcus Stroman accepted the qualifying offer of $18.9 million to return to the Mets for the 2021 season. Stroman’s return has several positive aspects to it, and was pleasing to new owner, Steve Cohen.

Stroman Helps The Rotation

This is the obvious one. The Mets desperately need starting pitching, and Stroman will be a welcome re-addition. It’s highly unlikely that Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha will return, leaving the Mets with a rotation of Jacob deGrom, Stroman, David Peterson, possibly Seth Lugo, and an open fifth spot (with Noah Syndergaard‘s return date unknown and Steven Matz‘s role on the team undefined).

The upgrade of Stroman over Porcello and Wacha is significant. Wacha, who was in and out of the rotation last year, posted an ERA of 6.62 in 2020, and Porcello had an ERA of 5.64. Stroman has a career record of 51-47, with an ERA of 3.76.

The Mets still need pitching help, and given the new ownership, any option seems to be on the table. Trevor Bauer, newly anointed Cy Young Award winner, has been mentioned as a possible target. If the Mets fill the rotation in at the top, Stroman can become and third or fourth starter. If the Mets fill in at the lower part of the rotation, Stroman may become the number two starter. Either way, the Mets have added a valuable and versatile piece to the 2021 rotation.

Stroman’s Return Helps Validate What We Were Thinking

Mets fans have long thought that the Mets were seen as less-than-attractive destination for top talent. When Stroman was acquired in July of 2019, rumors were that he was not happy about becoming a Met. The Blue Jays’ clubhouse was closed when the trade was announced, and reporters said they heard yelling in the room.

Stroman seemed to settle in once he arrived, but there was always a feeling that he did not want to stay. When he became a free agent, many thought his time in Queens was done, and Stroman did little to make people think otherwise. When Cohen assumed control of the team, Stroman’s position changed instantly. He even acknowledged a sense of excitement after the press conference.

Of course, Stroman’s acceptance of the qualifying offer could be a function of baseball’s current economics. He, and other free agents, would be entering a free agent market heavily impacted by the shortened 2020 season with no fans. Contracts will be less lucrative, and Stroman could be buying time until the financial state of the game improves.

Stroman’s Return Could Have A Snowball Effect

This one may have the biggest implications. Free agent signings can beget free agent signings. The Mets signed Pedro Martinez in December of 2004, and Carlos Beltran signed with the Mets less than a month later. Beltran said that the signing of Martinez signaled that the Mets were serious about winning, and influenced his decision.

The same could happen now under Cohen’s ownership. Stroman has chosen to return. Other players may take that as a sign that things are different in Flushing now, both culturally and in the team’s attitude toward the priority winning.

Sandy Alderson said that he had been contacted by a player about signing with the Mets, and he wasn’t even officially in role yet (that player may have been Stroman). With Cohen’s resources and stated dedication to winning (mediocrity is not acceptable and he wants to win within 3-5 years), players and agents are going to take notice. New York has always been attractive, but now it may be a two-borough phenomenon.

Yes, Wednesday was a good day for the Mets. They added a valuable rotation arm. The days that are coming will likely be even better. It’s been a while since we Mets fans could say that.