So, About Marcus Stroman...

[Brock Beauchamp]

He was electric yesterday. The umpire got an assist for his low strike zone but Stroman was putting pitches exactly where they needed to be, an impressive feat on Opening Day in less-than-optimal weather.

It's only one start but they've only played one game so over-reaction is the word of the day.

If Stroman looks like he looked yesterday for most/all of this season, I think the Cubs become fringe competitors for the division and/or a Wild Card berth.

[Southpaw19]

Strange as it is, I think he's got the same energy and composure he displayed in the WBC. Would not surprise me to see him have a career year.

[Andy]

It's a contract year for him too since he can opt out. Could work in the Cubs' favor.

[Brock Beauchamp]

7 minutes ago, Andy said:

It's a contract year for him too since he can opt out. Could work in the Cubs' favor.

I think it's a win all-around if he has a great year and opts out. The Cubs get a great season from him, Stroman gets another good contract somewhere, and the Cubs aren't on the hook with an older pitcher who doesn't miss a ton of bats and is physically tiny. Stroman doesn't have a pitching profile that inspires confidence as he ages.

[CubinNY]

23 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

I think it's a win all-around if he has a great year and opts out. The Cubs get a great season from him, Stroman gets another good contract somewhere, and the Cubs aren't on the hook with an older pitcher who doesn't miss a ton of bats and is physically tiny. Stroman doesn't have a pitching profile that inspires confidence as he ages.

He can pitch until he's 40. He doesn't rely on velocity. He might not be a starter until then, but he's got the profile of a guy who can be useful as he ages. His main issue is that he simply cannot miss his spots. He did a great job of that yesterday. If he puts the ball anywhere but the bottom 1/3 of the zone he's going to get hit hard. 

That said, I hope he opts out and I don't want the Cubs to sign him.

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by CubinNY

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Stroman having an opt out means he's functionally a rental(especially if he's pitching well enough to be desirable at the deadline), and the returns for deadline rentals has cratered in the new CBA.  It's hard to see an outcome where it's preferable to trade him, doubly so with the team in contention.

[Brock Beauchamp]

35 minutes ago, TomtheBombadil said:

Depending on how fast the prospects move, how Hendricks comes along, and what kind of periphs Stroman has at the deadline, I’d put him on the trade market this summer*

*as a buyer looking for offense and power pitching sooooo…Houston? 

I'm assuming you expect the Cubs to be out of contention at that point?

[apete6]

Maybe dumb question. If he opts out, are we allowed to offer him the Qualifying Offer and get compensation if he signs elsewhere (or, possibly, use it to offset our signing of another QO free agent)? 

[Transmogrified Tiger]

6 minutes ago, apete6 said:

Maybe dumb question. If he opts out, are we allowed to offer him the Qualifying Offer and get compensation if he signs elsewhere (or, possibly, use it to offset our signing of another QO free agent)? 

Normally yes, opt-outs don't preclude you from offering a QO.  But Stroman already received a QO, so he can't get tagged with it again.

[apete6]

12 hours ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

Normally yes, opt-outs don't preclude you from offering a QO.  But Stroman already received a QO, so he can't get tagged with it again.

Thank you!