Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman is having a great season and was named an All-Star for the second time in his career. Although receiving this type of recognition is great news for an individual, an MLB season can be long and grueling, which is why Stroman is opting to not pitch in the All-Star Game on July 11.
“It’s been a lot,” Stroman said, per MLB.com.
To be more specific, it’s been a lot of good for Stroman. The Cubs ace leads the majors with 14 quality starts and has a sparkling 2.96 ERA. While Stroman is grateful to be an All-Star, he’s focused on being ready to roll when the second half of the season begins next week.
“It’s been a huge process. I’m very thankful for everybody who’s helped me get to this point,” Stroman explained. “I’m definitely looking forward to having a little bit of a break — kind of just reset my energy, clear my mind and have a good second half.”
The break may be coming at a good time for Stroman. While he’s been one of the best pitchers in the majors, he’s now struggled three starts in a row.
6/25 vs. Cardinals: 3.1 IP/8 H/3 ER
7/1 vs. Guardians: 5.2 IP/5 H/5 ER
7/6 at Brewers: 5.0 IP/4 H/4 ER
Stroman shutting things down for the All-Star Game comes at a perplexing time for the Cubs as well as Stroman personally. The Cubs are currently 40-46 and eight games back in the NL Central. If the Cubs continue to falter Stroman could be one of the biggest trade chips on the market at the deadline.
Stroman is in the second season of a three-year, $71 million dollar contract with the Cubs. However, the third year of the contract is a player option, and there’s a great likelihood Stroman would opt out of the contract and hit the open market. Per The Athletic, Chicago’s not inclined to sign Stroman to an extension before the trade deadline on Aug. 1.
“I feel good here. I would love for them to be in play in the offseason,” Stroman said last week. “I would love to have an opportunity to sign back here in free agency after the year is done.”
Stroman resting over the All-Star break could lead to him being a major catalyst of a second-half turnaround for the Cubbies, or it may lead to the Cubs receiving a great haul of prospects if they trade him. For Stroman, it sounds like a win-win situation no matter who he finishes the season with.
