The rebuilding Toronto Blue Jays have traded top starter Marcus Stroman to the New York Mets for a pair of pitching prospects.
The Blue Jays confirmed the deal, which also includes cash considerations heading to New York, Sunday night.
New York is sending the Blue Jays two of its top pitching prospects, 24-year-old left-hander Anthony Kay and 18-year-old right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson.
Stroman, who had been part of trade rumours for much of the season, posted a message on his Twitter account expressing his excitement of the news.
“NEW YORK! Where I was born. Where my heart lies. Where my family resides. Crazy excited for this part of my journey. Some things were meant to be! ?Mets #HDMH.”
Multiple reports that Stroman was heading to the Mets in a deal involving prospects going to the Jays broke shortly after Sunday afternoon’s 10-9 loss against Tampa Bay at Rogers Centre.
Stroman left the Blue Jays clubhouse post-game with a unknown companion in a hurry, headed for the underground parking garage, and didn’t speak to media. But he did show his appreciation for the city of Toronto on Twitter.
“CANADA. TORONTO. Words can’t really explain the extent of my appreciation and love. Beyond thankful and blessed to have played for this unbelievable nation. Thank you for your constant support, love, and loyalty. I’ll be back plenty in the future!”
Kay is 1-3 with a 6.61 ERA in seven starts for Triple-A Syracuse after starting the season 7-3 with a 1.76 ERA in 12 starts at Double-A Binghamton. He was drafted by the Mets in the 29th round in 2013 but chose to go to the University of Connecticut. Taken in the first round with the 31st overall pick in 2016, he signed for a US$1.1 million bonus.
Woods Richardson is 3-8 with a 4.25 ERA in 20 starts for Class A Columbia of the Carolina League, with 97 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings. Taken in the second round with the 48th overall pick last year, he signed for a $1.85 million bonus.
The five-foot-seven Stroman is 47-45 with a 3.76 ERA in six big league seasons. He grew up on Long Island near Mets starter Steven Matz, about 50 miles from Citi Field.
Stroman was in much better form this year after an injury-plagued 2018 campaign, when he struggled to a 4-9 record and 5.54 earned-run average over 19 starts.
A lone bright light in a rotation hamstrung by injuries and ineffectiveness, Stroman was 6-11 with a 2.96 ERA this season and was selected to the American League all-star team for the first time. Stroman, who becomes a free agent after the 2020 season, missed the mid-season classic with a pectoral strain.
His final start as a Blue Jay came last Wednesday when he allowed one run over seven innings in a 4-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians. As he left the field to an ovation after his final frame, he shouted, “This is my house.”
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