Stroman blasts new deal with Jays
Pitcher loses arbitration case
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman was bringing the heat Thursday afternoon. First on the mound. And then on social media.
One thing is clear: the StroShow is going to be very interesting this season.
An hour or so after he threw off the mound at the Bobby Mattick Training Center — where he looked to be in fine form — Stroman took to Twitter and expressed his profound disappointment over losing his arbitration hearing, ironically while lauding his “thick skin.”
Stroman reportedly asked for a raise from $3.4 million to $6.9 million, while the Jays argued he should be paid $6.5 million and that’s what he was ultimately awarded. Stroman tweeted: “Lost arbitration. Is what it is. Looking forward to going out and dealing again.
The negative things that were said against me, by my own team, will never leave my mind. I’m thickskinned so it will only fuel the fire. Can’t wait for this year!”
Arbitration is part of the business and Stroman, who went 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 33 starts last season, isn’t the first ballplayer to go through it and lose. In fact, he won his arbitration case with the Jays last year, filing for $3.4 million and getting it. Usually players are more measured in their response to losing in arbitration. However, the emotional Stroman was clearly annoyed by the process this year.
The 26-year-old righthander has established himself as an elite pitcher in the majors with a heady arsenal of pitches and a funky delivery that throws hitters off to the point that some react with anger and frustration. It’s a tactic aimed at throwing off a hitter’s timing.
Stroman is also known for flying off the handle at times over umpires’ calls or hitters’ reactions. He’s also outspoken off the field, not shy to express his displeasure over a broadcaster’s call or a writer’s column. He has blocked a number of Toronto writers on Twitter.