Chicago Cubs and former Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman will become a free agent this off-season after opting out of the final year of his contract, per The New York Post's Jon Heyman and ESPN's Jesse Rogers.
Stroman has one season at $21 million remaining in a three-year, $71 million deal he signed ahead of the 2022 campaign.
He will now join a strong starting pitching market that includes the likes of Blake Snell, Aaron Nola and Sonny Gray.
A first-round pick of the Blue Jays in 2012, Stroman made his second career All-Star appearance in 2023 and finished the season with 136.2 innings pitched, a 3.95 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 27 appearances.
Stroman went from dominating the first three months this past season and making his second All-Star team to struggling through injuries the rest of the way. He finished with a 3.95 ERA in 25 starts and 27 appearances.
Stroman’s second season in Chicago took a bad turn when he left a start against St. Louis in London in late June because of a blister. He missed six weeks because of inflammation in his right hip and then a rib cartilage fracture, and wasn’t the same when he returned in mid-September.
“Love everything about Chicago," Stroman posted in his Instagram story. “Grateful for the @cubs organization. Thankful to have experienced Wrigley Field and the fanbase. The consistent energy was incredible. Life is a journey. Excited for whatever comes next!”
The 32-year-old has spent parts of nine big-league seasons with the Blue Jays, Cubs and New York Mets. Over that time, he has worked 1303.2 innings with 77 wins and a 3.65 ERA.
MLB free agents can officially start signing with new teams on Nov. 6.
-- With files from the Associated Press
