The Trentonian (Trenton, NJ)

Mets get Stroman in trade with Jays

- Staff and wire report

Maybe the Mets are buyers after all.

The Mets are acquring All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman from the Toronto Blue Jays, according to a person familiar with the negotiatio­ns. The trade has not been finalized as of Sunday evening.

Stroman posted a tweet that read: “Toronto, I love you...forever!” It was followed by a Canadian flag.

A 28-year-old righthande­r who made his first All-Star team this season, Stroman is 6-11 in 21 starts despite a 2.96 ERA that is fifth-best in the American League. He has a $7.4 million salary and is not eligible for free agency until after the 2020 season.

The 5-foot-7 Stroman is 47-45 with a 3.76 ERA in six big league seasons. He grew up on Long Island near Mets starter Steven Matz, about 50 miles from Citi Field.

Toronto’s clubhouse was not opened to reporters after Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay, and Stroman left the ballpark without speaking to media. Blue Jays spokesman Rich Griffin said Stroman was not taking the team charter to Kansas City.

New York (50-55) is six games back in the NL wild-card race, with six teams ahead for the two spots. With the trade deadline approachin­g Wednesday, this deal might lead to the Mets selling off a member of their current rotation, which includes Matz, Noah Syndergaar­d, Zack Wheeler, Jason Vargas and NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom.

Syndergaar­d, Wheeler and perhaps Vargas appear the most likely to be traded.

Wheeler can become a free agent after this season, as can Vargas if his 2020 club option is not exercised. Syndergaar­d and Matz can become free agents after the 2021 season, and deGrom is signed through 2023.

Stroman was a prep star at Patchogue-Medford High School on Long Island before attending Duke University. On April 16, 2009, he pitched against Matz, who was on Ward Melville High in East Setauket.

The Mets are sending pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson, ranked as the team’s fourth and sixth prospects, respective­ly, to Toronto.

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