Cubs Handling Stroman Carefully Ahead Of Trade Deadline Decision

The Cubs weren’t going to take risks with Marcus Stroman. David Ross pulled him in the fourth inning of a Sunday start in London against the St. Louis Cardinals, not wanting a blister on his index finger to get any worse.

Stroman figures to be front and center as MLB teams head toward the August 1 trade deadline. He has another guaranteed season on his three-year deal with the Cubs but is expected to void it by using his opt-out clause.

That leaves Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations, and owner Tom Ricketts with a decision to make — extend Stroman, trade Stroman or cross their fingers and hang onto him for the stretch run.

At 37-40, the Cubs have shown progress this season but Fangraphs gives them only an 18-percent chance to reach the postseason. Stroman has been responsible for more than his share of improvement, as his team has gone10-7 in his starts.

Stroman has pitched to a 2.47 earned run average through 102 innings, and has compiled a 3.07 ERA in his two seasons with the Cubs. He has been vocal about wanting to remain based at Wrigley Field beyond his current contract, and it is possible he may be extended.

Ricketts and Hoyer signed Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner to extensions in spring training after failing to lock up Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez and Willson Contreras the two previous seasons.

Stroman’s contract pays him $25 million this season. He’s due another $21 million in 2024 but is expected to re-enter the free agent market if he is healthy at season’s end.

Pitching will be in high demand among contenders at the deadline, as more than 30 starting pitchers are currently sidelined by injuries. That list includes Jacob deGrom, Carlos Rodon, Brandon Woodruff, Walker Buehler, Chris Sale, Max Fried, Julio Urias, Lance McCullers Jr. and Jeffrey Springs.

It’s too early to know which starters will be shopped but that list seems likely to include the White Sox’s Lucas Giolito, the Guardians’ Shane Bieber, the Tigers’ Eduardo Rodriguez (currently on the IL) and the White Sox’s Lance Lynn. Stroman would make an intriguing option.

He said on Sunday he hopes to recover from the blister scare in time to make his next scheduled start, Saturday against Cleveland. He is on track to face Boston, Washington, the White Sox and St. Louis after the All-Star break. The Cubs would love to see him get on a run, even if they aren’t the contender Stroman eventually helps.