Stroman headed to Cubs
Marcus Stroman is taking his talents to the midwest.
The ex-Met pitcher announced on Wednesday via Twitter he would be playing his next season of major league baseball with the Chicago Cubs. His deal with the Cubs is for a reported three years, worth $71 million with an opt out after the second season, according to ESPN. He’s expected to make $25 million next season, $25 million in 2023 and $21 million the final year and could get $2 million more if he pitches 160 innings in each of his next two seasons.
Stroman hinted at his own signing by retweeting his soon to be fellow Cubs pitcher Adbert Alzolay’s tweet of several popcorn emojis, adding, “You ready to deal all year in front of that unbelievable Wrigley crowd my bro!? Let’s get to work! @Cubs.”
He followed that up by writing, “CHICAGO! @Cubs,” and then got more specific on his excitement.
“Chicago has always been one of my favorite cities. Culture and passion everywhere. Beyond excited to pitch in front one of the best fan bases in all of sports. Thank you to everyone in the city for the warm welcome. I can feel it. Let’s get to work! @Cubs,” Stroman wrote. “Wrigley Field is the only big league stadium I haven’t pitched at in my career. Crazy. Can’t wait to call it home!”
Stroman spent two and half years as a Met after being traded from the Blue Jays — who he spent five and a half seasons with — in the middle of the 2019 season. He opted out of the coronavirus-pandemic shortened 2020 season and returned in 2021 to start 33 games. He finished last season with a 3.02 ERA (10-13) through 179 innings pitched, including one of his shortest starts ever.
Stroman had expressed interest in returning to the Mets after the end of the season, but on Nov. 27 he wrote on Twitter that the front office was more interested in other pitchers.
“I would love to be back on the squad next year. I’ve proven that I can pitch in NY…others usually crumble under that New York pressure. However, I know a source who says the front office rather the other pitchers on the market. I’m going to dominate wherever I end up,” he wrote, adding, “The source is me.”