Toronto Blue Jays Being Asked About Marcus Stroman

As the Toronto Blue Jays continue to slide out of the postseason picture, it makes sense that teams would inquire about their players for the stretch run. That willingness to sell should not extend to Marcus Stroman just yet.

Over the next few weeks, the Toronto Blue Jays are going to be one of the more popular ballclubs when it comes to trade rumors. As they continue to spiral out of the playoff picture, players like Marco Estrada and Francisco Liriano will likely become hot commodities. Yet, while those two pitchers are likely available as they are expiring contracts, another Blue Jays pitcher, Marcus Stroman, is starting to become the subject of rumors himself.

It would certainly make sense that other teams would covet Stroman. He is now fully back from the torn knee ligaments he suffered in 2015, and is again looking like his former self. This year, he has posted an 8-5 record, to go along with a 3.42 ERA and a 1.263 WHiP. In his 105.1 innings, Stroman has issued just 26 walks while striking out 87 batters. Under team control through 2020, the 26 year old Stroman is the type of pitcher that a team can build around.

That is exactly why the Blue Jays should hang on to Stroman. Players like Estrada, Liriano, and even Jose Bautista are not going to be a part of the future. Stroman, meanwhile, can be, depending on how quickly Toronto can retool.

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However, as noted in the linked article, Stroman will be close to free agency himself when the Blue Jays are expected to contend once again. This timeline would make the possibility of Stroman’s trade more likely.

Nonetheless, that does not mean that the Blue Jays need to trade Stroman now. He is certainly a coveted pitcher, with three and a half years of team control left. Yet, unless those interested teams are going to give the Blue Jays a king’s ransom for the team’s ace, he is likely to stay put.

This also discounts the idea of the Blue Jays locking Stroman in to a long term extension. As he continues to establish himself as one of the better starters in baseball, Stroman could make himself into a cornerstone player. He could be exactly what the Blue Jays need to build their starting rotation around, leading the franchise back into contention.

Next: Stroman frustrated with blister epidemic

Trade rumors are going to swirl around the Toronto Blue Jays for the next few weeks. While Marcus Stroman may be one of the featured names, it does not make sense to trade him at the deadline.