Inside The Phillies

Disgruntled Ace Linked as Potential Trade Fit for Philadelphia Phillies

Chicago Cubs ace Marcus Stroman has been linked as a potential fit for the Philadelphia Phillies at the MLB trade deadline.

Kade Kistner

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

The Philadelphia Phillies are slated to make a big splash at the season's MLB trade deadline. 

They could opt to pursue a starting pitcher as their fifth man situation has been in flux for the entire first half of the season. 

One name that has been recently linked to the Phillies is Chicago Cubs ace Marcus Stroman. 

News broke on Saturday that Stroman would likely not be extended by the Cubs, despite his near pleas for them to do so. It seems at this juncture that Chicago will almost certainly move him at the deadline. 

Stroman is among the league leaders in ERA and games started, but he is seen as a groundball pitcher. Unlike last season, the Phillies boast a strong defense, especially up the middle with Trea Turner and Bryson Stott manning the middle infield. 

The issue is Stroman has an opt-out clause after this season that is apart of his three-year, $71 million contract that he is expected to exercise. That means Stroman will have to be viewed as a rental unless an extension agreement can be agreed to.

However, Stroman's presence in the rotation would be a huge boost for the Phillies down the stretch and provide Philadelphia with one of the best 1-2-3 punches in MLB. That is especially crucial when it comes to a postseason series. 

Stroman is a natural fit for a team like the Phillies who are in win-now mode after coming up just short in the World Series last season against the Houston Astros and committing significant money in free agency this past winter. 

Of course, the next question is what will Chicago want for Stroman?

Top prospect Andrew Painter is almost certainly off the table. But a name like Griff McGarry and a lottery ticket from the lower levels of the system should get the job done. 

Chicago and Philadelphia are no strangers to deadline deals as last season the Cubs sent reliever David Robertson to the Phillies in exchange for right-hander Ben Brown. Perhaps another deal could be struck in the coming weeks. 

More From SI's Inside The Phillies:

Published
Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl.  During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated.  Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

Home/News