Teams constantly are faced with challenging decisions on the value of retaining a player or send him packing, but the Chicago Cubs can almost single-handedly turn a weak trade market upside down based on their determination.
Simply, they have six weeks to decide whether to sign ace Marcus Stroman to a contract extension or trade him by the Aug. 1 trade deadline.
If they do nothing, they can be assured Stroman will be walking at the end of the season.
Stroman, who is in the second year of a three-year, $71 million contract, is the latest marquee player who is likely to take advantage of an opt-out clause in his contract.
∎ San Diego Padres All-Star third baseman Manny Machado turned his opt-out clause into an 11-year, $350 million contract this spring.
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∎ Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom turned his opt-out with the New York Mets into a five-year, $185 million contract last winter with the Texas Rangers.
∎ Starter Carlos Rodon turned his opt-out with the San Francisco Giants into a six-year, $162 million deal with the New York Yankees.
So, there’s absolutely no reason why Stroman wouldn't turn his opt-out into a massive payday, too.
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Stroman isn’t hiding his desire to stay with the Cubs, but money talks. He would be the most sought-after free-agent pitcher this winter behind only two-way star Shohei Ohtani, but he’s having a better year than Ohtani on the mound.
Stroman is a Cy Young candidate with his 7-4 record and 2.42 ERA, while leading the National League with 85 ⅔ innings. He has allowed two or fewer runs in 17 of his last 21 starts dating to Aug. 30, 2022, yielding a major league-low 2.33 ERA.
"I want nothing more than to be a Cub," Stroman told reporters Saturday. "I kill myself 24/7 on and off the field to perform, to keep my body is position, to keep my mind in position. I truly believe I prepare like nobody else, so I know my worth."
Stroman is virtually begging the Cubs to sit down at the negotiating table, but the Cubs have yet to engage. That will change. The Cubs plan to talk to him before Aug. 1 to see how much money he’s seeking. If they can’t reach an agreement, they’ll have no choice but to trade him knowing that teams will be clamoring for him at the trade deadline.
"I know how narratives get created in media from the top down," says Stroman, "once it starts to creep towards the trade deadline and how they try to make it sound like players are unsignable or don’t want to be here. Like, I want to be here more than anything. So I made that known. There’s been no rebuttal from their side.
"Ideally I’d want to be a Cub, but it’s a business at the end of the day and that’s how it has to be handled at times."
It’s intriguing that Stroman publicly aired his thoughts at Oracle Park in San Francisco, home of the Giants, where he nearly signed before joining the Cubs. He raved about Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations, and manager Gabe Kapler during the recruiting process.
"To be honest, I love the Giants and everything about that organization," Stroman told USA TODAY Sports in March 2022. "They were incredible. I was blown away. That organization is headed for great, great things. The people from the top down are incredible. They’re with it, man.
"I would love it at some point down the road to be a part of that team."
Well, he may soon have that chance, whether the Giants trade for him now or sit back and try again when he hits free agency.
It’s up to the Cubs if he gets that opportunity.
Stroman awaits.
"There’s been no talks, nothing substantial, it’s talking in circles," Stroman said, "there’s nothing. That’s me putting it out there and being super honest."
Jed Hoyer, Cubs president of baseball operations, declined to talk about Stroman’s future, but told reporters this week that Stroman has been worth every penny of the contract.
"He’s been everything we hoped for when we signed him," Hoyer said. "We’ve enjoy having him. We’ve given him the freedom to be himself and I think he’s reciprocated that by pitching great and he’s been terrific for us."
The Cubs have frequently faced this dilemma in the past few years, and many of their stars departed in trades or through free agency. Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez were traded before they hit free agency. Willson Contreras left as a free agent. Outfielder Kyle Schwarber was non-tendered.
The Cubs, however, also spent nearly $300 million this winter in free agency, while signing outfielder Ian Happ to a three-year, $61 million extension and second baseman Nico ho*rner to a three-year, $35 million extension.
"I would truly would love to stay a Cub," Stroman said. "You never know how it’s going to play out."
Meanwhile, contenders are paying awfully close attention, knowing he could be the difference between an early vacation or playing deep into October.
Follow Nightengale on Twitter: @Bnightengale.
