Marcus Stroman pitches for the Blue Jays for perhaps the final time

Jul 25 2019, 8:58 am

After six years in a Blue Jays uniform and eight years with the same organization, Marcus Stroman might have made his last start for the team that drafted him in 2012.

The 28-year-old made another stellar start for the Blue Jays — saddled with the loss in the Cleveland Indians’ 4-0 victory — but he posted seven solid innings and all eyes were on Stroman as he left the field.

As the fans rose to their feet and gave him a standing ovation, Stroman clapped the side of his glove and acknowledged that may have been his final game with the Blue Jays.

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By pitching seven innings of one-run ball, Stroman lowered his ERA to 2.96, which nudges him into the top 10 best ERAs in MLB this year. Fortunately for the Blue Jays, he’s having one of the best seasons of his career.

With MLB’s trade deadline only one week away, Stroman is the most coveted starting pitcher on the market. The New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Houston Astros are all rumoured as potential landing spots for the Long Island native.

Just in case this was his last time on the mound at Rogers Centre, Stroman received hugs from his teammates and his manager: Charlie Montoyo.

Stroman’s next scheduled start is Monday in Kansas City versus the Royals, but it’s questionable whether he’ll even a part of the Blue Jays organization by then. With trade talks heating up ahead of the July 31 deadline, contenders will scramble to put forth their best offers for the Blue Jays starter.

The Blue Jays have until 4 pm ET next Wednesday, July 31 to complete a trade involving Stroman, otherwise he finishes the season with the Blue Jays. Until now, Stroman himself says the organization hasn’t approached him with a contract extension.

Unlike other pitchers on the market, he’s under team control for the 2020 season, which makes him even more enticing for teams looking to beef up their starting rotation for their 2019 and 2020 playoff drives.

Stroman thrived in big moments for the Blue Jays in 2015 and 2016. He was the tournament MVP at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He has a keen sense of the moment and takes his game to a new level when the bright lights are on him.

The show may not go on in Toronto, but at the very least, the Stro Show was always entertaining in “The 6”.

Ian HunterIan Hunter

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