Report: SF Giants ‘absolutely’ interested in Cubs free agent Marcus Stroman
While the SF Giants may be the current front runners for Japanese free agent left-hander Shōta Imanaga (#12-ranked free agent), they continue . the SF Giants are still linked to other possible starting rotation options on the open market and “absolutely” have interest in free-agent righty Marcus Stroman (#16-ranked free agent), according to FanSided’s Robert Murray on an episode of The Baseball Insiders podcast on YouTube released on Monday. Murray acknowledged San Francisco's interest in Imanaga but was not confident enough to call them favorites. However, he made sure to highlight the team's interest in Stroman.
The SF Giants are linked to right-hander Marcus Stroman
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
“I know one pitcher they absolutely do have interest in is Marcus Stroman,” Murray said. "Stroman is someone who’s had a very interesting free agency this year so far because [of] the fact there’s been hardly any buzz with him. There’s been a lot of different things about other pitchers but with Stroman, it’s really been rather quiet. But the Giants are interested in Stroman. They’re casting a rather wide net in that starting pitching search.”
Stroman, 32, received his second-career All-Star selection in 2023, his second season with the Chicago Cubs. He was dominant in the first half of the season, posting a 2.96 ERA in 112.2 innings pitched. However, a mid-August rib cartilage fracture sidelined Stroman for much of the second half and led him to finish the season in a different role.
A former first-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays, Stroman has been a consistent mid-rotation starter across nine MLB seasons. In 1303.2 innings pitched between stints with the Blue Jays, Mets, and Cubs, Stroman has recorded a 3.65 ERA with 1091 strikeouts and 376 walks.
At his best, Marcus Stroman profiles as a mid-rotation arm with the potential for top of the rotation upside. A sinkerballer, he has a strong ability to produce ground balls, ranking third in MLB in ground ball rate last season only behind SF Giants starter Logan Webb and Alex Cobb. In fact, Webb and Stroman's similarities as pitchers has long led the duo to share effusive praise for each other.
