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Disgruntled Ace Linked as Potential Trade Fit for Philadelphia Phillies
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.
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