Newly-acquired New York Mets right-hander Marcus Stroman isn’t worried about the spotlight that he’ll experience in Queens.
On Sunday, the New York Mets traded prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson to the Toronto Blue Jays. In exchange, the Mets received All-Star righty Marcus Stroman. It’s the first big move the Mets have made prior to the MLB trade deadline.
Going from a city like Toronto to a city like New York, Stroman will be in a tad bit different market now that he’s a Met. When it comes to the spotlight, however, Stroman doesn’t seem too worried.
“Oh, I think I’m ready for it. I mean, I think my personality kind of has shown that over the years, kind of never shy away from the bright lights,” Stroman said Monday, via ESPN. “I get excited in the big moments, and I feel like I’m able to really kind of lock in. So I know that New York is obsessed with winning, and that’s how I am. So I’m excited to kind of have that pressure behind me each and every start. I kind of enjoy that. I don’t think the pressure behind it should faze me at all.”
Another aspect of the trade that Stroman should be excited about is the fact that he’s returning home. Stroman grew up on Long Island, with much of his family still living in the area. With that support nearby, Stroman will have a newfound feeling that he didn’t have while playing in Toronto.
“I’m going to be able to play baseball in kind of my backyard. They’re going to be able to come watch me pitch every game,” he said. “I didn’t actually grow up a Met fan — I grew up a New York fan. I used to go watch Mets games as well as Yankee games. I actually played at Shea Stadium with my travel team when I was younger.”
Thus far this season, Stroman is 6-11 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.227 WHIP through 21 starts (124.4 innings pitched). He joins a starting rotation that also includes right-hander Jacob deGrom. Both Stroman and deGrom are both in the top-10 in ERA in the National League, with deGrom carrying a 2.86 ERA.
