May 29, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) reacts as after forcing Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (not pictured) to hit into a double play during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago Cubs
(Bronx, NY) – Marcus Stroman has made it his mantra: height doesn’t measure heart.
And standing at five-feet-eight-inches, he doesn’t necessarily look like a typical frontline starter. But that doesn’t bother the Long Island native, and he knows his “stuff” is plenty big enough for New York City. The Yankees’ latest starter was introduced to the media on Thursday, and said he spoke with captain Aaron Judge before signing in the Bronx, as well as Anthony Rizzo, Anthony Volpe, and fellow-starter Gerrit Cole.
Stroman sounds like a guy who’s ready to return to New York, after pitching with the Mets in 2019 and 2020. “I’m not someone who shies away from the limelight or the pressure or the lights,” Stroman said. “I think a lot of guys would avoid coming to New York and playing for the Yankees because of that reason. I feel like it brings out the best in me.”
Stroman’s numbers while in New York were strong: he posted a 3.21 ERA with 218 strikeouts over 238 2/3 innings in Queens. Now, he’s ready to return to the Big Apple: “I get the chills thinking about my first start in Yankee Stadium, to be honest with you.”
His first tenure in New York ended in somewhat rocky fashion, as Stroman routinely clashed with (and blocked) fans on social media. He also bizarrely accused the Mets organization of being “racist” when they chose not to resign him. Stroman’s not worried about that apparently, saying “I think people will have a different view of me after my tenure here.” At the conclusion of the 2019 trade deadline, when Stroman went from Toronto to the Mets, the right hander went at GM Brian Cashman and suggested he’d regret not making a similar move. Now, the pair apparently laughed that off during the most recent contract negotiations.
Stroman is also impressed with the Yankees other offseason acquisitions, including their trade for perennial All-Star Juan Soto. He calls Soto the best hitter he’s ever faced. Stroman predicted “we’re capable of definitely having a deep October run. … Adding [Juan] Soto to this lineup, I think he’s the best hitter in baseball.”
