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Strange days are brewing on the north side of Chicago. The Cubs are currently 28-37 and 6.5 games out of first place in the NL Central. But they have a pitcher who’s surging this season and could be one of the most sought-after players at the MLB trade deadline.
Marcus Stroman, who’s in the second season of a three-year, $71 million dollar contract with the Cubs, would prefer to get an extension and stay in Chicago. The third year of the contract is a player option and the expectation is Stroman would opt out. However, Stroman claims the Cubs have been the ones reluctant to have even one conversation about an extension.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the Cubs’ strategy “will change” and will talk about an extension before the deadline, which is less than two months away.
“The Cubs plan to talk to him before Aug. 1 to see how much money he’s seeking,” Nightengale said. “If they can’t reach an agreement, they’ll have no choice but to trade him knowing that teams will be clamoring for him at the trade deadline.”
Stroman has been phenomenal this season, tallying 12 quality starts, an NL-best 2.42 ERA, and a 1.04 WHIP. Stroman’s stock has never been higher, his career ERA is 3.53 and WHIP is 1.23.
Cubs President Jed Hoyer recently said that Stroman has been everything the team hoped for when they signed him.
“We enjoy having him. We’ve given him the freedom to be himself, and he’s reciprocated that by pitching great,” Hoyer shared. “He’s been terrific for us.”
Usually, when contract issues become public it’s a sign that things are going north between the front office and the player, but that doesn’t seem to be the case in this instance. It just seems like the Cubs are taking their time for a couple of reasons. They want to see if Stroman keeps up this dominant pace, and they also want to see if they’re buyers or sellers at the deadline. These answers will only be known in good time.
“I want nothing more than to be a Cub. I kill myself 24/7—on and off the field—to perform well, to keep my body in position, keep my mind in position,” Stroman said, per The Athletic. “I truly believe I prepare like nobody else, so I know my worth.”
Stroman’s been a vocal leader for the Cubs, and his play has been the most inspiring on the club. Trading Stroman instead of working out a contract extension could have unintended consequences in the locker room in terms of team chemistry and morale. Still, this is business, and Stroman is 32 and it’s fair to wonder how many years he can rattle off like this in the future. But setting the pros and cons of the situation aside, it’s easy to see how much Stroman loves putting on his Cubs uniform and taking to the mound at Wrigley Field.
“I love everything about the city of Chicago,” Stroman said. “You won’t ever catch me saying anything bad. The fan base has been incredible. The people have treated me perfectly.”
Whether Stroman remains a Cub or is traded to a contender at the deadline, he’s made his mark in Chicago and the fans won’t forget him.
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