Blue Jays: This is the Marcus Stroman you can build around

Marcus Stroman looked like his old, dominant self on Tuesday night against this Atlanta Braves. This version of the right-hander is certainly worth building around.

The Blue Jays will have a lot of questions to ask and answer internally over the next couple months, and especially over the next three weeks as we approach the non-waiver trade deadline on July 31st. There is going to be some turnover on this roster one way or another, and more of the same will be on the way this winter. That’s what happens when a veteran roster can’t get it done for two years in a row.

As the front office evaluates the assets they have in house, this season has been confusing to say the least. The Roberto Osuna situation definitely complicates things, and with Aaron Sanchez back on the DL after mixed results this year, there are plenty of reasons to be frustrated.

The recent performance of Marcus Stroman is not one of them.

More from Jays Journal

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

The Duke University product has been a different pitcher since he came back from the disabled list. He struggled against the Mets in his previous outing, but returned against the Braves and put up seven strong frames, allowing just one earned run on six hits and two walks in the process. His pitches had solid movement on them, and he looks like he’s got the swagger back that made him one of the best in the AL last season, when he finished fourth in ERA.

While I would expect nearly anyone who has been on the big league roster this year to be available at the right price this month, I think the Blue Jays should seriously consider keeping Stroman around for the long term, even as the team embarks on a rebuild. He has two years of arbitration control remaining before becoming an unrestricted free agent, but has also suggested in the past that the would be open to extension talks, should the two sides find some common ground.

While many other potential star players might want to split for a more immediate competitive environment, I really believe that Stroman can see the opportunity he has in Toronto. He’s become a darling in the city in many ways (I know, I know, some of you don’t like him), and the marketing and branding opportunities are pretty extensive, especially as Canada’s only team.

He’s also aware of the talent that’s coming in the minor league pipeline, and that it won’t be long until the new generation of reinforcements are wearing Blue Jays uniforms. Prospects are anything but a guarantee, but with a system featuring young potential stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, and many more, it’s hard not to be excited when thinking about what this team could look like in a couple years.

While there is a lot of uncertainty around the future of guys like Aaron Sanchez and Roberto Osuna, I really believe the Blue Jays should explore the idea of keeping Stroman around for the long term. He’s clearly passionate and motivated, both personally and by team success, and has rebounded nicely from his early season struggles, both with his health and his performance on the mound. Combine that with the need for a rotation fixture to guide this team through a rebuild, and I think he fits the bill nicely.

Next: Stuck between a rock and a hard place with Osuna

I wasn’t so sure I’d be saying this in July, even a couple months ago, but I really believe that if there’s one guy on the 25 man roster today they should build around, it’s Marcus Stroman.