Could Marcus Stroman be Next Chicago Cubs Player to Sign Contract Extension?

Over the past three weeks, the Chicago Cubs have agreed to contract extensions with infielder Nico Hoerner and left fielder Ian Happ. Both players are now under contract through 2026, as is outfielder Seiya Suzuki and starting pitcher Jameson Taillon.

The Cubs extended Hoerner just days before Opening Day. Wednesday, Happ received his own extension. The Cubs didn't make Opening Day a deadline for a Happ extension. Happ was extended two weeks into the regular season, which indicates that executive Jed Hoyer might not be done working on extensions this spring.

Opening Day starting pitcher Marcus Stroman is off to a strong start to begin the season. Stroman has allowed just two earned runs off ten hits and eight walks in 18 innings, over his first three starts, good for a 1.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

Stroman has seemed to enjoy pitching in Chicago. The righty signed a three-year, $71 million contract with the Cubs in December 2021, after pitching for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays. Stroman's deal includes a player option for year three, meaning that if he wants to, he could opt out and test the waters of free agency again after this season.

Stroman could be the next player on Hoyer's wish list. The nine-year veteran will turn 32 at the start of next month. Rather than having Stroman opt out and negotiating a new contract with him this winter, the Cubs could approach the 2019 All-Star about an extension sooner rather than later, and begin the negotiations this spring.

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