TORONTO – If that’s it for Marcus Stroman in Toronto, he went out in style.
He was at his best against Cleveland Wednesday, throwing seven innings of one-run baseball against a likely playoff team. He struck out six, walked just one and lowered his ERA to 2.96 while cementing his status as one of baseball’s top trade candidates.
At this point, it would be a surprise if Stroman makes another home start for the Blue Jays. And there’s seemingly a real chance he’ll be traded before his next scheduled outing in Kansas City Monday. So… what comes next?
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Every team in the pitching market has asked about Stroman. Major-league front offices are thorough enough to inquire on everyone, and as Stroman builds on an all-star season he’s not just anyone. He’s a potential No. 2 or 3 starter on a playoff team.
Where that leads is less clear. Those in attendance Wednesday witnessed a starter at the top of his game. Maybe a motivated contender will push to complete a deal before Monday, so Stroman’s next outing helps their playoff chances.
It’s also possible buyers will prefer to slow-play the market, waiting to see if Trevor Bauer or Madison Bumgarner becomes available by July 31. In that scenario, Stroman would most likely start against the Royals Monday even if it means the Blue Jays accept some injury risk. Until someone tells Charlie Montoyo otherwise, he’s going to use his best pitcher.
Quite understandably, the Blue Jays’ ask has been high to this point, according to teams involved in the pitching market. Stroman’s a durable, controllable, playoff-tested pitcher who fields his position and costs far less than he would on the open market. There’s considerable value here.
That said, if the Blue Jays are holding out for a Chris Archer-like return, they’re probably going to be disappointed. No one’s going to give up an all-star calibre outfielder (Austin Meadows) and pitcher (Tyler Glasnow) and replicate what some consider one of the most lopsided trades in recent memory.
More realistically, the Blue Jays must be willing to accept a fair price. That could be pitching (by far their biggest organizational need) or something else entirely. There’s no sense limiting themselves just yet.
Either way, some industry observers believe the Blue Jays will have to lower their ask in the days ahead. By that same logic, the Blue Jays could fairly expect buyers to act with more urgency and improve their offers as the July 31 deadline approaches.
To this point, no one has found common ground with the Blue Jays. Chances are that changes by Wednesday.
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With that landscape in mind, here’s a look at possible suitors for Stroman starting with some apparent long shots and working our way to some stronger fits.
Oakland Athletics
Every few years, Billy Beane seems to make an out-of-nowhere deadline deal. With Oakland headed toward another wild-card game, Stroman would surely have appeal. That said, the A’s could also play it safe, keep their prospects and hope that newcomer Homer Bailey is enough.
San Diego Padres
The Padres are six games back of the second wild card and trending in the wrong direction, but they were among the clubs represented at Rogers Centre Wednesday, as reported by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. This could be due diligence or a reflection of legitimate interest. Either way, this is where Stroman’s extra year of control adds appeal. Whoever acquires him gets an impact arm for 2020, too.
Milwaukee Brewers
Now just 1.5 games out of a wild-card spot, the Brewers just saw all-star Brandon Woodruff hit the injured list for up to six weeks with an oblique strain. As a group, Milwaukee’s starters have a 4.80 ERA. There’s a need here, it’s just a question of whether the Brewers would meet the Blue Jays’ price.
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals could use an impact starter and they’re reportedly open to dealing young talent at the deadline, including Canadian outfielder Tyler O’Neill.
Philadelphia Phillies
While the Phillies need the pitching, they’re not believed to be a leading suitor for Stroman at the moment. These teams connected on a trade last summer, exchanging Aaron Loup for Jacob Waguespack.
Atlanta Braves
On paper, an intriguing fit. There’s history here, as Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos was the one who drafted Stroman with the Blue Jays and oversaw his rise to the majors. The Braves also have young pitching to send back to Toronto.
The GMs in question might not be best friends, but they’re professionals and if a deal makes sense it makes sense. Comparatively speaking, though, the Braves might not need starting pitching as much as some contenders after adding Dallas Keuchel. Maybe Ken Giles is a better fit in Atlanta.
New York Yankees
A New York native, Stroman has spent much of the last month answering questions about the possibility of playing for the Yankees. It’s not all media driven, either. The Yankees are active in the starting pitching market, and last summer’s J.A. Happ trade showed the Blue Jays don’t mind dealing within the AL East. If they make another trade with the Yankees, they’ll need to get more in return than they did for Happ.
Houston Astros
Even with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole atop Houston’s rotation, there’s room for a No. 3 starter here. The Blue Jays and Astros have connected on multiple trades in recent years, reflecting a strong working relationship between front offices. Given the success that Verlander, Cole, Ryan Pressly and others have enjoyed after arriving in Houston it’s hard not to wonder what the Astros might be able to do with Stroman’s mix of pitches, deliveries and arm angles.
Minnesota Twins
Despite some recent struggles, the Twins are still well positioned to return to the playoffs. No team in baseball has a better OPS than their .838 mark, so they’re in good shape offensively. That means chief baseball officer Derek Falvey will spend much of the next week searching for pitching. With Bauer essentially unavailable to an AL Central rival, Falvey will surely ask Ross Atkins, a former colleague in Cleveland, about Stroman.
The Twins certainly have the farm system to make a deal happen with Royce Lewis, Alex Kirilloff, Brusdar Graterol and Jordan Balazovic all ranked among the game’s top-100 prospects, according to Baseball America.
