According to Chicago Cubs manager David Ross, Marcus Stroman is his team’s best player this season.
However, yesterday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians didn’t quite prove him right. Starting the game for the Illinois squad, Stroman had a tough outing giving up five earned runs on five hits while suffering his sixth loss of 2023, to nine wins.
His earned run average rose to 2.76, which is still respectable in this year when major league baseball has decided to favor offense at the expense of pitchers.
For the former Blue Jays gunner, the 2023 season is special because he could very well change his uniform again.
With his contract expiring soon, the Cubs are giving themselves the next month to assess whether Stroman will remain in the team’s plans or whether an Aug. 1 trade is possible.
Despite a losing record (38-43), the Cubs are still in the fight within their division and the month of July will say a lot about their chances of making the playoffs or not. If David Ross’ troop blows down the necks of the Reds and Brewers at the end of July, Stroman should logically end the season in Chicago in order to help his team down the stretch.
If the current five-game gap separating them from No. 1 turns out to be any bigger, don’t be surprised to see the 32-year-old pitcher take the path of an aspiring team at the trade deadline in order to get some good hopes in return.
And what does the main interested party think of this situation? Stroman would like to continue his career in Chicago, but he knows he’s not in control. His performances this season offer him great opportunities: either he signs a lucrative contract extension with the Cubs, or he ends the season with a team that will have a better chance of winning top honors.
Recognized for his outspokenness, Stroman lets his talent do the talking in 2023, to the delight of Cubs fans.
The team leaders are giving themselves options and if it happens that Stroman is not traded this season, they will see to making him the best possible offer in order to keep his rights on the eve of his complete autonomy.
