Marcus Stroman spent the American League Wild Card game commentating on the action while I was busy catching up on Schitt’s Creek and trying a new flavor of Pringles I insisted I would only eat one of. After the game, while I was already asleep with a food coma, the soon-to-be ex-New York Mets pitcher wrapped up the game with a tweet that may actually hint at one of his desired destinations.
Reading between the lines—or eliminating everything but the last sentence and having some context to it—one could jump to the conclusion that Stroman sees himself as a future member of the New York Yankees.
It makes sense for Marcus Stroman to trade in his Mets uniform for a Yankees one
There’s a lot of truth to what Stroman said. Even if the Yankees were able to defeat the Boston Red Sox in the one-game Wild Card, it’s tough to see them rolling through the playoffs without any issue. They put their best pitcher on the mound, Gerrit Cole, only to watch him suffer at the bats of their most-hated rival early on.
Next on their list would have been the Tampa Bay Rays. The anti-Yankees. They’ve routinely played the team from the Bronx well over the years. Maybe they always just want it more. Maybe they don’t have an inflated ego knowing there might always be another year.
I’m not here to bash the Yankees—their fans will do that plenty this winter. Instead, I want to take a moment out of my day to ponder whether or not Stroman is the guy to help fix their lack of quality starting pitching depth.
It is ironic in a way because this was precisely one of the reasons why the Mets didn’t even get to the one-game Wild Card. It’s not nearly number one, though. I think that can fall on the offense more than anything else.
Stroman has continually hinted about where he could end up next year, leaving no stones unturned. The market for a pitcher of his age and abilities should be vast. It’s difficult to knock any team out of contention. The Yankees, the second of his hometown clubs, could very well be one of them. Whether he tweeted this or not, I would believe it. I’m fully prepared for a winter where Stroman leaves all possibilities open.
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Then again, further commentary from him in the National League Wild Card matchup tonight might make me believe a whole different story. Whether it’s the Los Angeles Dodgers or St. Louis Cardinals eliminated, Stroman could have cause to again reference their starting pitching staffs. And if he does, you better believe my head will go to thinking he’s bound for the losing club.