Can you believe it??? Well, forget about the rumors, speculation and reports because it’s actually happening. The Cubs are signing free agent starter Marcus Stroman!
The source? Marcus Stroman himself.
CHICAGO! @Cubs
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) December 1, 2021
Chicago has always been one of my favorite cities. Culture and passion everywhere. Beyond excited to pitch in front one of the best fan bases in all of sports. Thank you to everyone in the city for the warm welcome. I can feel it. Let’s get to work! @Cubs
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) December 1, 2021
Wrigley Field is the only big league stadium I haven’t pitched at in my career. Crazy. Can’t wait to call it home! @Cubs
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) December 1, 2021
You ready to deal all year in front of that unbelievable Wrigley crowd my bro!? Let’s get to work! @Cubs https://t.co/oTXh3RGIC2
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) December 1, 2021
Let’s fucking goooo!
ESPN’s Jeff Passan was first to report the details of Stroman’s three-year, $71 million contract.
Stroman can essentially make Justin Verlander money (two years, $50 million) in the first two years of the deal and then opt out after the second and hit free agency at 32 years old. With escalators at $2M a year, if he hits 160 IP each year, he’d get $25M in all three seasons.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 2, 2021
What a wonderful surprise right before the lockout for Cubs fans. It’s been a miserable existence ever since the 2021 trade deadline. There has been little to no confidence among most fans that the team would actually spend this offseason and any time there has been discussion about potential moves the conversation always seemed to go back to the Cubs rebuilding for a few years and not trying to compete as soon as 2022.
Now, after the Stroman signing, those conversations are going in a different direction. It’s no longer complaining about why the Cubs won’t spend, rather who will they spend on next.
And that’s the thing, while you should be excited about Stroman coming to the Cubs, Jed Hoyer can’t stop now.
