Blue Jays: Marcus Stroman extinguishes contract extension narrative

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Marcus Stroman plot has thickened as the hurler extinguished a report that the front office may extend the 28-year old rather than trade him.

According to Andy Martino of the SNY Network, the Blue Jays were informing interested teams that there was a possibility the team may extend Marcus Stroman rather than trade the pitcher. This was an obvious bluff on the front offices part in an attempt to gain some negotiating leverage with prospective teams.

What Ross Atkins and company did not consider was the fact that Marcus Stroman was going to extinguish any said whispers about a contract extension. Stroman commented on a tweet from the Score quelling the speculation by replying “That’s news to me. Lol”.

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The relationship between Stroman and the Blue Jays is circling the drain at a rapid pace as the two sides head toward a messy divorce. The team has pushed back Stroman’s next start until Tuesday affording them an additional day to trade the hurler. Thomas Pannone has been tabbed to take Stroman’s initial spot in the rotation on Monday.

Stroman was initially open to signing a contract extension with the club but according to Stroman, he was never approached about a contract. The hurler now appears to have accepted the fact that he will be traded and will not be a Blue Jays following the July 31st trade deadline.

The right-hander is enjoying a career year on the bump and sports the eleventh best-earned run average in the majors among starters. Stroman is 6-11 with a 2.96 earned run average in 21 games this season and enjoyed the first All-Star selection of his career.

It’s anyone’s guess where the hurler will end up but one thing is for certain there will be no love lost between either side when it is all said and done.