Marcus Stroman insists he wasn’t upset about being traded to the Mets.
“It had nothing to do with the Mets at all,” Stroman told reporters Monday on his introductory conference all. “To be back home, pitching in front of friends and family, is going to be an amazing time.”
As news was breaking of the Mets-Blue Jays blockbuster Sunday night, Toronto unusually did not open its clubhouse to the media following their 10-9 loss to the Rays. A source told The Post’s Mike Puma that Stroman was disappointed that he wasn’t traded to a contender like the Yankees, Astros or Red Sox.
“The commotion was a discussion I had with some of the coaches and higher ups in the organization during the exit meeting,” Stroman said. “The frustration is something that happened in an instant, and is gone in an instant.
“I always wanted to be a Toronto Blue Jay for a long time. We had a conversation. No hard feelings. I voiced my frustration. I’m sure anybody would be frustrated.”
But Stroman, a Long Island native, did little to keep his Yankees interest quiet throughout the season, claiming he was “built for the bright lights” before a Blue Jays-Yankees series in June. That interest was confirmed after the trade by his father, Earl, who told Newsday on Monday that Marcus “was hoping it was the Yankees a little bit” who traded for him.
Instead, the Mets swooped in and sent pitching prospects Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson to the Blue Jays for Stroman.
Source: Read Full Article