(670 The Score) As the Cubs have surged on the field by winning seven of their last nine games, the biggest topic off the field has been ace Marcus Stroman's future with the organization.
Stroman in the second season of a three-year, $71-million contract, which includes a player option for 2024 that he's almost certain to decline if it gets to that point, as he has been one of MLB's best pitchers and could command a lucrative deal on the open market. Stroman hopes to remain with the Cubs, but he recently revealed that the organization has rebuffed his efforts to begin contract extension negotiations.
While Stroman has been open in publicly speaking about his contract situation, the Cubs front office has been mostly mum. That's how president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer prefers it, and after recently seeming annoyed that Stroman went public, Hoyer on Monday indicated there isn't any friction.
"I wouldn't call it a controversy," Hoyer said on the Mully & Haugh Show. "I actually think it's a positive. He really wants to be here. That's a great thing. I feel like he's been so positive for us since he got here. I think I said it to the media – when we got him, we said, 'Hey, let's let this guy be himself. He works as hard as anybody. But let's take the boundaries off a little bit and let him be him and let him prepare how he wants to prepare.' And he's been awesome us. He's been a great teammate, and he's worked well with the coaches. We're thrilled to have him. I love the fact that he wants to be here. But for me, it's just important that we focus on 2023. Let's focus on that. My strong hope – because at the time, the questions were sort of all leaning toward the trade deadline – is let's make that a moot point. I think that's the goal. You want nothing more than to add at the deadline. You want nothing more than to be in the race all season, and let's hope that the last nine games are a move in that direction. That we're moving in that (positive) direction, we've played well. I think the energy of Wrigley really helped us (this past week). I think the West Coast, it's tough to play out there. We did a good job in San Francisco, but coming home and starting to hit a little bit was great. So my hope is that we put all that stuff behind us and start playing well. But I don't see it as a controversy, I see it as a positive. I love when guys want to be here, and I respect the fact that he said that. But I think it's my job to not comment on it and not let those things distract from the greater importance, which is let's get back in this race."
Stroman, 32, is 8-4 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He leads the National League in wins, ERA, WHIP, starts (15) and shutouts (one).
The Cubs open a three-game series at the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday evening. Pregame coverage on 670 The Score will begin at 5:30 p.m.
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