New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman quietly had one of the best seasons among all Major League pitchers.
Though he had just a 10-13 record, he posted a 3.02 ERA in 179 innings pitched.
Marcus Stroman, Pretty 90mph Back Door Cutter. ✂️
And, K Hop. 🦘 pic.twitter.com/3jAbvqnhnx
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 22, 2021
His ERA was good for ninth in the league.
This came after the 2020 season where he opted-out due to COVID-19 and didn’t play in a single game.
However, this season was no exception.
Since entering the league, Stroman has proven his potential as a top-line starting pitcher in any rotation.
In 2019, he posted a 3.22 ERA in 184.1 innings; in 2017, his ERA was just 3.09.
Because of this, Stroman has the potential to earn a good contract this offseason.
Here are three potential teams that could land Stroman for their rotation.
3. San Diego Padres
Though the offseason has just started, the San Diego Padres already have their name tied to Stroman.
Marcus Stroman ‘among the names’ mentioned as a starter the Padres could pursue this offseason, per @sdutKevinAcee pic.twitter.com/wroDy7NCw0
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 6, 2021
They are projected to have a full rotation in 2022, but they have been known to make surprising moves in the offseason.
Following a disappointing 2021, they may choose to make a big splash.
Some of their starters, most notably Mike Clevinger who is coming off of Tommy John surgery, have injury concerns.
Adding Stroman could give them needed rotational depth, while also taking him away from other contenders such as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2. Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels have two of the best players in MLB between Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.
However, they haven’t been to the playoffs since 2014.
A large part of this is a lack of starting pitching, sparking their interest in Stroman.
Logically, adding Stroman to their rotation would be a huge move for the Angels.
This, along with a couple other additions, could propel the Angels into a potential playoff spot.
That is especially true given the potential losses for the Houston Astros, meaning their chances for the division are getting better.
On top of this, Stroman has expressed some interest in the Angels on social media.
Could be a great fit.
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) November 3, 2021
While he is very open and active on Twitter, frequently talking about different teams, it shows that some interest is there.
Look for the Angels to make a big move like this before the 2022 season.
1. New York Mets
The Mets had a very disappointing season, especially in a National League East division that was weak.
An injury to ace pitcher Jacob deGrom didn’t help, putting more pressure on Stroman to step up.
For next season, the Mets can’t afford to go into the season without an abundance of rotational depth.
They cannot rely on deGrom and Noah Syndergaard to stay healthy for an entire season, and they already have the connection with Stroman.
"Stroman might be seeking a deal that pays him $25 million or so annually. Will the Mets pay that much?"
Stay or Go: Should the Mets bring back Marcus Stroman? (via @DannyAbriano) https://t.co/cRPKvKUBfN pic.twitter.com/Mt0XgoJTIu
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 20, 2021
He has expressed an openness to staying in New York and seems to be willing to re-sign depending on the contract.
Being from Long Island, the Mets should also have an advantage in being close to his home region and family.
If they have any hopes of making the playoffs, Stroman should be the first move they look at.
It may cost a lot to keep him there, but expect the Mets to have their hat in the ring.
NEXT: 3 Free Agents Athletics Should Target This Offseason
My guess is that Stroman is a Met next year.