After months of rumours and speculation, Marcus Stroman’s Toronto tenure ended Sunday when the Blue Jays traded him to the New York Mets in exchange for a pair of pitching prospects.
Despite expectations of a deadline deal, the Mets’ new starter admitted during a media availability on Monday that he was “definitely shocked” when he first heard the news he’d be on the move.
Stroman also addressed the reports of a “clubhouse commotion” that followed the news of the trade, which sees left-hander Anthony Kay and righty Simeon Woods Richardson join the Blue Jays, saying it was simply a conversation with Blue Jays brass and not about his displeasure about being dealt to the Mets.
“The commotion was a discussion that I had with some of our coaches and some of the higher-ups in our [organization],” he said. “I was just kind of voicing my opinion, I didn’t like how a couple of things were handled about the process. It had nothing to do with the Mets at all.”
Stroman had been vocal about his desire to stay put in Toronto in the months leading up to the trade.
“It all hit me kind of quick and once that kind of settled and I talked to my family, the excitement kind of all settled in,” he said. “To be back home, to pitch in New York, is going to be an amazing time … I can’t wait.”
Stroman made Toronto his home for the first seven professional years, but joining the Mets is a bit of a homecoming for the Long Island native, who grew up about 50 miles from the Mets’ stadium. Though he didn’t grow up a dedicated Mets fan, the idea of pitching in his own backyard, with family nearby, is exciting for the starter.
With his Blue Jays days now in the past, Stroman said he’ll look back on his time in Toronto fondly, with “no hard feelings on either end” when it comes to the trade.
“I’ll look back on these times, and just be kind of grateful for them all,” he said. “I’ll be back in Toronto in the future. I love this city, I love this country… it’s not the last time I’m going to be here.”
As for when he’ll make his big New York debut, Stroman said he hadn’t spoken to management yet about when, exactly, he’ll hit the mound with the Mets but pointed to this weekend as a possibility, adding that he’s “ready to throw at any point.”
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