Following a 10-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, there was reportedly a “commotion” inside the Toronto Blue Jays locker room.
Someone was audibly upset, but it did not have to do with the Jays blowing an 8-1 lead — ironically coming a day after a 10-9 comeback win on Saturday, in a game they trailed 9-2.
Unclear who or why, but someone was not happy in #BlueJays’ clubhouse post-game. A commotion could be heard from outside of the clubhouse. Wasn’t open to media post-game
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 28, 2019
Blue Jays aren't willing to confirm Stroman trade. PR directed media to look at Twitter reports. Clubhouse was closed and we were told "there's a reason it's closed". Truly odd scene in general.
— Nick Ashbourne (@NickAshbourne) July 28, 2019
The Jays’ clubhouse wasn’t open to the media post-game, with reports surfacing on Monday that it stemmed from Marcus Stroman, who was traded to the New York Mets for a pair of pitching prospects.
The commotion inside the #Bluejays clubhouse on Sunday was indeed caused by outgoing Marcus Stroman, sources confirm. Word is his initial reaction to trade was not pretty. #Bluejays.
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) July 29, 2019
Source says Stroman's clubhouse "commotion" yesterday with the Blue Jays was initial disappointment that he hadn't been traded to a contender; He thought he might be headed to the Red Sox, Yankees or Astros.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) July 29, 2019
A Blue Jays official on Stroman: “Sometimes players get real comfortable when they have been there a while and they think they are the veteran. I think when he gets into a group with deGrom and Syndergaard over there he will fit right in like he is supposed to do.”
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) July 29, 2019
The fact that Stroman was dealt before Wednesday’s MLB trade deadline wasn’t a surprise, but the team he was moved to was.
Instead of being traded to a contender, the Long Island native was moved to the Mets, who are 11.5 games back of Atlanta in the NL East. They would need to climb over five teams to get the last NL Wild Card spot, as they currently sit six games back in that race.
Mets beat writer Mike Puma reported that Stroman was initially upset at his landing spot, thinking he would be traded to the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, or Houston Astros.
Stroman confirmed reports that he was the source of the commotion in a media conference call, saying it came from an exit meeting with management. He said he was shocked by the trade and voiced his displeasure with Blue Jays executives about how things were handled.
Stroman denies that he was upset with where he was traded to though, telling reporters: “It had nothing to do with the Mets at all.”
THANK YOU CANADA! 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/G4gaXb4HkR
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo6) July 29, 2019
Never one to hide his emotions, Stroman appeared to mouth “this is my (expletive) house” after he exited his final start as a Blue Jay at Rogers Centre on Wednesday. He spent some time on social media on Sunday and Monday to thank Jays fans.
The 28-year-old had spent his entire six-year MLB career with the Blue Jays.