New York Mets: Three Marcus Stroman predictions for 2020

Double-Digit wins, an ERA near 3.00

The 2019 campaign culminated in a middling second-half performance for the 28-year-old compared to prior seasons; even though he was considered the highest-profile pitcher available at last year’s Trade Deadline. For someone the front office gave up so much talent for, in LHP Anthony Kay and RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson, Stroman’s performance did not exceed anyone’s expectations or transcend time.

Apart from his second, and arguably best, start for the Amazins’ against the Washington Nationals on August 9th, where he struck out nine over six frames and earned a no-decision for his efforts, his September performances diminished as his ERA rose from the 2.96 when he joined the club, to the 3.77 he finished with throughout his 11 starts in Queens.

However, it’s important to note that the Mets won 8 of those 11 games Stroman started even though only he went 4-2 during this stretch. For this reason, expect him to have 10+ wins and an ERA closer to 3.00 – mirroring his best year as a Toronto Blue Jay in 2017 when he went 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 33 starts.

I believe, since this is his contract year and his incentive levels are high, that he will improve from the sub .500, 10–13 win/loss record he finished up with this past year, posting a 3.22 ERA through 32 games split between Blue Jays and Mets:

6-11, 2.96 ERA through 21 games in Toronto
4-2, 3.77 ERA through 11 games in New York

He still finished with a 4.1 WAR, which may be a sign of bigger and better things to come in his first full season in orange and blue.

Stroman saves Van Wagenen’s tarnished trade reputation

Stroman is a free agent in 2021, and will have a lot to prove in 2020 if he wants to remain with the Mets, and (more importantly) get paid! Expect him to validate Brodie’s decision to trade the farm for him last Trade Deadline.

Although he is not known as a strikeout pitcher, he managed to strike out over 7 batters in 4 of his 11 games started with the Mets; with one of those starts striking out 9 over six innings. He finished 2019 with 159 strikeouts.

Should Stroman get help from the defense across the diamond (which has been a main concern for this club in recent seasons), I believe Stroman will justify Van Wagenen’s decision to give up the organization’s top two pitching prospects for him.

But then again, Stroman doesn’t need that much help. His steady defensive play on the mound earned him a Gold Glove in 2017, where he posted a .979 fielding percentage and recorded a career-high 37 assists.

He was ineligible for the award in 2018 due to falling short of pitching the required 142 innings by the team’s 142nd game requirement and was not a finalist for the award this past season. 2020 is the year for him to start fresh with his new team, and rebound on the mound.

While I think he will perform well enough to sign a long-term deal, it will be BVW’s decision whether or not to tender a long-term contract to Stroman that will ultimately determine if the 2019 trade was worth it.

Want your voice heard? Join the Rising Apple team!

Write for us!

Regardless, Stroman is a solid pitcher and the Mets pitching staff is better with him in the rotation.