Marcus Stroman's Time with Cubs is Nearing End

Right-handed starting pitcher Marcus Stroman was named to his second All-Star team and he'll be representing the Chicago Cubs in Seattle next week in the midsummer classic. It might also be one of the final times Stroman wears a Cubs logo on the national stage this season.

This isn't that much of a surprise as Stroman has already indicated himself that the Cubs have not engaged in any contract extension talks so far in 2023 and now another report makes Stroman's future pretty clear. One of the best starting pitchers in baseball this year doesn't appear to be a priority to keep longterm for the Cubs.

In that article by MLB insider Ken Rosenthal and Cubs beat reporter Patrick Mooney, Stroman is once again quoted saying that the Cubs have not reached out to negotiate a new contract with the 32-year-old pitcher.

Stroman signed a three-year deal following the 2021 season with the Cubs worth up to $71 million through three years. He earned $25 million in 2022 and will make that much again in 2023. The veteran right-hander has an opt-out clause after this season that he will use to get a new contract in free agency.

Via The Athletic.

The Chicago Cubs are not inclined to sign Marcus Stroman to a contract extension before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, sources told The Athletic, preferring to keep their options open and see how the team performs over the next month.

“Nothing new,” Stroman said Friday when asked if there had been any movement in his discussions with the front office. “I have a great relationship with Jed and Carter. It’s been awesome here. I just don’t think they’re in a position right now for me to extend my (time here). Which, I don’t even care. I feel good here. I would love for them to be in play in the offseason. I would love to have an opportunity to sign back here in free agency after the year is done. I’m super present. However it goes, it goes.”

When he was still with the New York Mets, Stroman was offered and accepted the $18.9 million qualifying offer for the 2021 season. Because of that, the Cubs do not have the ability to offer Stroman a qualifying offer of their own after he opts out following the 2023 season and thus could lose the starting pitcher without getting anything in return. That is if he does not re-sign with the Cubs, which is still a possibility, but very unlikely once a player tests the free-agent market.

So, if the Cubs continue to trend down in the standings, they've now lost 7 of their last 8 after blowing a 6-0 lead on Monday to the Milwaukee Brewers, the team will surely take calls in the weeks leading up to the Aug. 1, trade deadline for Stroman.

Even after two sub-par starts in the past week, Stroman remains one of the best and most consistent starting pitchers in 2023. The righty has made 18 starts for the Cubs this year and leads MLB with 14 quality starts. Stroman's 2.76 ERA in 107.2 innings, also ranks fourth best in the National League.

The Cubs head into the 4th of July, sitting seven games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central Division.