The entire baseball universe is waiting to see if MLB and the union can hammer out a deal for our favorite sport to return at some point in 2020. And while the two sides are certainly closer now than three or four days ago, no deal is imminent. The New York Mets, as well as every other team, are still waiting to see if they start preparing their bags to go to spring training 2.0 or if they stay home.
While several players are resting at their respective houses and others are training, New York Mets’ pitcher Marcus Stroman took advantage of the extra time to give back to the community.
Earlier this week, specifically on Tuesday, Stroman had volunteered to stop by and offer instruction at any youth, high school or even college baseball practices located in the Tampa area. He was true to his word, as he went off with that goal in mind on Wednesday.
The righty, entering a contract year with the Mets, joined the Tampa Heat 9u team on Wednesday. The pictures of the event portrayed him addressing the group and pitching in with his experience from the mound.
“Loved every moment out there with y’all. Thank you for having me,” Stroman tweeted. “Hope y’all can take something out of today that will better your tomorrow!”
“Seeing those smiles… nothing beats that!” Stroman said in another tweet. It’s not the first time Stroman is involved in activities like that one, and it probably won’t be the last either.
Stroman and his Mets’ future
The 2020 season could be the last one Stroman pitches with the Mets, unless he and the team can agree to a contract extension.
The righty is scheduled to hit free agency after the season ends, if there is one of course.
Last year, Stroman started 11 games for the Mets, with a 3.77 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP in 59.2 frames. In 184.1 innings between New York and Toronto, he had a 53.7 ground-ball percentage, the fourth-best mark in the league in 2019.