New York Mets: Three Marcus Stroman predictions for 2020

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.

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