Mets Monday Morning GM: Still time to salvage the Marcus Stroman trade

Marcus Stroman will be back with the New York Mets in 2021 and ready to salvage the trade that brought him to Flushing.

When Marcus Stroman opted out of playing in 2020, it looked like the New York Mets lost the trade that first brought him to town. They gave up two pitching prospects to acquire him for only 11 starts in 2019.

Those who wrote off the trade as a loss may need to grab an error or some whiteout. Stroman is coming back in 2021. How he performs could make the trade look a whole lot different.

Although Stroman is now under a new deal with the Mets, his qualifying offer wouldn’t have been possible if he had never played for the team prior. Put Stroman on a different team with a qualifying offer and I’m not so sure much changes. It’s possible he could have tested free agency, but we will never know.

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Stroman went into this offseason regarded as one of the top free agents. His acceptance of the qualifying offer came as a bit of a surprise. Stroman credits Steve Cohen as the reason why he chose to return to the Mets.

The circumstances that will keep him in orange and blue couldn’t be better. On a one-year deal, Stroman has every reason to pitch at his best to earn the money he may have otherwise earned in free agency this winter. It’s also beneficial for Stroman to speak so highly of the team’s owner—something that could attract other free agents to the club.

When it comes to winning and losing trades in baseball, it usually takes a few years for a clear cut winner.

Simeon Woods Richardson has yet to reach the big leagues. Through 35 innings, Anthony Kay has a lackluster 5.14 ERA. It’s too early to declare an official winner, but things are swinging back in favor of the Mets.

Many of the deals Brodie Van Wagenen made seemed to work out better for the other team involved. This was especially true with the trade he made with the Seattle Mariners which brought us Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz. Things changed in year two as both excelled on the field. Cano’s suspension for 2021 adds another curveball into the equation.

However, until Justin Dunn or Jarred Kelenic reach their potential, the official tally will hang in limbo.

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Whether fans like it or not, Stroman is coming back in 2021. While not the most popular player for a variety of reasons, there’s no denying his potential. Stroman brings the kind of energy to the field this team lacked in 2020. An intangible like this is something we cannot ignore.