Blue Jays: Several teams pursuing Stroman, but who needs him most?
By Manny Gómez
Toronto Blue Jays ace Marcus Stroman’s name has been floated around for quite some time now, but with the trade deadline fast approaching, the field has narrowed. Which team needs his services most?
On Monday, Jon Heyman reported that currently, three known teams are in on Toronto Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman, the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, and Atlanta Braves. Of course, the field is much wider than that, but at this point, it’s all speculation.
So, of the three aforementioned teams, who needs ‘Stro’ most? Let’s delve into the numbers to make our predictions.
First up, the HOUSTON ASTROS. After literally tanking beginning in 2011, the Astros lost a combined 416 games in the four seasons that followed. Then, beginning in 2015 they began a playoff run that includes one World Series championship in 2017.
The Astros accomplished this by building one of the best farm systems in baseball, which currently ranks eigth according to Bleacher Report.
They also have done this on the backs of their pitching, which has ranked in the top 10 in MLB since 2015, and their ability to hit for contact and power.
Of the three known teams in on Stroman, the Astros have the least need for the veteran starter. In fact, of these three teams, the ‘Stros rank ahead of the Yankees and Braves in ERA, FIP, and WHIP.
The good news for Houston is that if they do happen to add Stroman, they have the pieces to acquire him without impacting their roster and farm system too much. That being said, I can’t see a trade happening between Houston and Toronto at this time.