It’s day four of spring training and the fireworks have already begun.
Saturday was the debut of the “Vladdy Show” at the Blue Jays’ spring training facility. On Sunday, the “Stro Show” made its season premiere in Dunedin, Florida.
After throwing a side session yesterday, Marcus Stroman met with the media for the first time since arriving at camp. Instead of dipping his toe into the reporter pool, the 27-year-old went with the scorched earth approach.
Anyone hoping for a quiet Sunday morning in Dunedin was sadly mistaken.
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In typical fashion, Stroman didn’t hold back when it came to comments about the Blue Jays front office, the lack of veteran players on the club, and a potential contract extension.
First off, Stroman voiced his displeasure at the lack of veterans on the Blue Jays’ roster. It’s indicative of a larger problem across Major League Baseball, where many high-profile free agents remain unsigned and there are whispers of collusion.
Stroman wasn’t happy at the lack of signings by the Blue Jays in particular.
Stroman on a young team stripped of veterans: "I think it’s pretty sad that the game is losing the ability to put these veteran presences in clubhouses." #Bluejays
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) February 17, 2019
Stroman: "There is really no veteran presence anymore. It's me and KP, John Axford, a few other guys, Justin Smoak. I can't speak anymore highly that the game needs to get to a point where we're starting to put these veteran players back in the clubhouse." #BlueJays
— Gregor Chisholm (@gregorMLB) February 17, 2019
“Hey Marcus, how’s everything going with the front office?”
When asked to describe his relationship with the #Bluejays front office, Marcus Stroman said "no comment."
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) February 17, 2019
Well, this isn’t awkward at all.
It isn’t the first time where friction has been felt between the right-hander and the Blue Jays brain trust. Stroman called out the Blue Jays on Twitter last February after he lost his salary arbitration case. The 27-year-old is under team control for two more seasons, which means 2019 will be a make-or-break year for Stroman.
Trade rumours have swirled around him all offseason, but the topic of a contract extension hasn’t been broached publicly, until this morning.
“I’ve been waiting to sign a long term deal,” Stroman said. “I’ve been offered nothing.”
Marcus Stroman on possible contract extension: "I've been waiting to sign a long term deal. I've been offered nothing."
— Hazel Mae (@thehazelmae) February 17, 2019
And yet, in that same breath, the Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun has sources that refute Stroman’s claim about not being tabled a contract extension. Oh boy, this year is going to be entertaining in Blue Jays land.
#Bluejays sources dispute Stroman's comments that he hasn't been offered a long-term deal with the team.
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) February 17, 2019
Whether or not Stroman was tabled a contract extension, the results from his 2018 season didn’t exactly scream the necessity to lock him up long-term. Granted, he missed portions of the season due to injuries, but he finished the 2018 campaign with a 5.54 ERA in 102.1 innings pitched through 19 starts.
While he could’ve been a little more tactful with his approach regarding the other issues he spoke out about, this is one subject where Stroman is completely in the right. Could the Blue Jays do more to field a competitive team in 2019? Absolutely.
Stroman on #Bluejays front office: "I hope everybody in this organization is doing the same. I hope they are putting us on the field with the best team possible to go out there and compete against the Yankees and the Red Sox."
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) February 17, 2019
More Stroman on Jays management: "I want to make sure everybody in this organization is doing everything in their power to put the best product on the field. That’s it. I want to win
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) February 17, 2019
With big-name free agents like Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Craig Kimbrel, and Dallas Keuchel still on the market, the Blue Jays could sign any one of these players and instantly make the club more competitive in 2019.
For Stroman to boil over like this, it’s a raw glimpse into the frustrated and dissatisfied state of mind of one of the longest-tenured members of the Blue Jays roster.