(670 The Score) The Cubs have rebuffed ace Marcus Stroman’s attempt to negotiate a contract extension, Stroman said in a tweet Saturday.
Stroman is 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 as he has been one of MLB’s best pitchers. Stroman could command a lucrative contract in free agency, but he has emphasized on multiple occasions that his desire is to remain with the Cubs on an extension. The problem right now is the organization doesn’t want to discuss Stroman’s future yet, he said.
“My agent and I made multiple attempts to engage them on an extension,” Stroman wrote. “Club wasn’t interesting in exploring it now. Will see how it plays out! Love everything about the Cubs organization!”
Stroman later expanded on the topic in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, noting that he wants to be sure a false narrative doesn’t start that claims he doesn’t want to remain with the Cubs or that he’s an “unsingable” player.
“I want to be here more than anything,” Stroman said in “So I made that known. And there’s been no rebuttal from their side.
“There’s been nothing from their side – no offers, no talks really at all. That’s me putting it out there and being super honest. And now I’m back to work. I’m not going to really address it anymore.”
Stroman, 32, has been brilliant this season, going 7-4 with a 2.42 ERA and National League-best 1.04 WHIP.
At 28-36, the Cubs are in fourth place in the NL Central and 5.5 games back of the division lead. The expectation is they'll be sellers at the trade deadline on Aug. 1 if they continue to struggle.
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