Cubs Get Welcomed Surprise with Stunning Marcus Stroman Decision

I'm pretty sure close to 100% of fans thought that Marcus Stroman was going to opt-in to the final year of his three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs that would have earned him a $21 million salary for the 2024 season. However, Stroman has reportedly opted out of his deal with the Cubs and he is now going to enter free agency.

Jon Heyman first reported Stroman's surprising choice and ESPN's Jesse Rogers confirmed it later on.

Stroman's contract with the Cubs was worth $71 million over three years. So, ultimately, he made $50 million in two seasons on the north side of Chicago.

The 32-year-old pitcher had a great start to the 2023 season with the Cubs, posting a 2.28 ERA through his first 16 starts. Stroman earned his second All-Star Game nomination, but then a hip injury sidelined him in the middle of the season and things fell apart from there.

Stroman was scheduled to return in the middle of August to start against the White Sox following his stint on the 15-day injured list. Instead, a day before, he was ruled out and then a rib cartilage fracture was discovered that forced Stroman to miss another month. We still do not know how Stroman suffered that second injury.

While the Cubs were trying to hang on to a Wild Card spot, Stroman returned to the club and was initially used out of the bullpen. Yet, after two relief appearances, Stroman was placed back into the starting rotation, but he simply wasn't ready and in his final two starts with the Cubs he surrendered five earned runs in five combined innings.

Stroman ended the 2023 season with a 3.95 ERA in 136.2 innings.

So, the Cubs now have that money off their upcoming payroll, which is probably what they wanted heading into free-agent market that is rich in starting pitching. Plus, with Stroman's contract gone, the Cubs are most likely more inclined to pick up the 2024 option for Kyle Hendricks. That has already been hinted at, but a decision on Hendricks has yet to be made.

Oh and speaking of free agents...