Marcus Stroman Opts Out of Contract with Chicago Cubs
Veteran Right-Hander Leaves $21 Million on the Table
Chicago, IL – In a surprising move, Marcus Stroman, the talented right-handed pitcher, has announced his decision to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Chicago Cubs. The 32-year-old confirmed this news on Saturday through an Instagram story, expressing his gratitude towards the Cubs organization and his love for the city of Chicago.
“Love everything about Chicago. Grateful for the Cubs organization,” Stroman wrote. “Thankful to have experienced Wrigley and the fan base. The consistent energy was incredible. Life is a journey. Excited for whatever comes next.”
Stroman’s decision to leave $21 million on the table comes after he signed a lucrative $71-million contract with the Cubs before the start of the 2022 campaign. This unexpected move has left fans and analysts speculating about his future plans and potential suitors in the upcoming free agency market.
During the previous season, Stroman showcased his skills in 27 games for the Cubs, making 25 starts. The seasoned hurler concluded the regular season with a respectable 10-9 record and an impressive 3.95 ERA in 136 2/3 innings pitched. Notably, he continued to excel in inducing ground balls, ranking third in the majors among starters with at least 130 innings pitched, according to FanGraphs.
As Stroman enters the free-agent market, he will join a talented class of starting pitchers that includes notable names such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, and Shohei Ohtani, who unfortunately won’t be pitching next season.
In addition to Stroman’s departure, the Cubs also faced another blow as outfielder Cody Bellinger declined a mutual option for the upcoming season, choosing to explore free agency opportunities.
With Stroman’s decision to opt out, the Chicago Cubs will need to reassess their pitching rotation and make strategic moves to fill the void left by the departure of this seasoned right-hander. As the offseason progresses, fans eagerly await further developments and announcements from the Cubs organization.