Mets: Three reasons Marcus Stroman should get a contract extension

Why replace what you already have?

If the Mets move on from Stroman, they’re going to need to find a replacement. Otherwise, anything they do that isn’t a lateral or upgrade addition means they are taking at least a step backward.

The Mets rotation isn’t as strong as it was only a few years ago. Although Jacob deGrom has shown no signs of slowing down other than he’s beginning to hurt his back by sleeping wrong, he’s still one of the best pitchers in the league and you cannot convince me otherwise until his numbers say so.

There’s that old saying about how the devil you know is better than the one you don’t. Stroman isn’t the devil and it’s not exactly the correct terminology for this scenario. However, the purpose of it does seem applicable.

We already know enough about Stroman and should have an even better idea after the 2020 season. He can handle New York. He was born here, after all.

What about other equally as successful pitchers who have spent their careers in smaller cities? It’s not always a factor but many times players will avoid New York for more than just the taxes. They also do it because the media breathes down their neck in the Big Apple as opposed to smaller markets where everyone knows each other’s families by name.

Stroman can pitch in a Mets’ uniform and other players may not be able to. Beyond just the intimidation of the city, how well will others mix in with the team’s chemistry?

Most important of all, Stroman is already with the team. Going out and trying to find an equal or better replacement puts the Mets in a competition with 29 other organizations. The advantage of already having a player on your payroll is you always have the opportunity to extend him before anyone else.

The chances of an early extension seem impossible with uncertainty with ownership. However, if the throne at Citi Field can pass over to someone else before the start of 2021, maybe there is a chance we see Stroman return even if he does test the free agency waters first.

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Should the Mets extend Stroman early? Or would you prefer they find pitching help from another arm?