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.