Marcus Stroman accepts New York Mets’ $ 18.9 million qualification offer

Right-hander Marcus Stroman has accepted the New York Mets’ $ 18.9 million one-year qualifying offer.

The Mets made the offer to the free agent on November 1st. Stroman confirmed on Twitter that he’d accepted, saying, “Plus, excited to be back in Queens in 2021!”

Stroman also said on Twitter that he was excited to play for new Mets owner Steve Cohen.

I’m so excited to play for you after seeing the presser, sir. I could feel the excitement and passion that you will bring daily. Let’s be great! @ StevenACohen2

– Marcus Stroman (@ STR0) November 11, 2020

Players have until 5:00 p.m. ET Wednesday to accept eligible offers. In addition to Stroman, Trevor Bauer, Kevin Gausman, George Springer, DJ LeMahieu and JT Realmuto also received offers. Bauer’s agent said he would not take the offer, and a report said LeMahieu will also decline.

Stroman entered the free hand during the 2020 season shortened by the pandemic without throwing a pitch. After recovering from a muscle tear in his left calf that he suffered just two days before the season opened, the right-handed man decided in August to end the rest of the season after talking to his family about the coronavirus pandemic.

At the time, Stroman, 29, said the decision was made “in the best interests of my family.” His grandmother and uncle have weakened the immune system and are regularly around his mother.

His decision to log out came after a second simulated game in which he threw 85 fields with the intention of returning to the Mets rotation the following week. He was then put on the restricted list.

The 5-foot-7 Stroman, who grew up about 50 miles from Citi Field, was 4-2 with an ERA of 3.77 in 11 starts for the Mets after being acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays at the close of trading in 2019 The All-Star Team for the Blue Jays starts trading with an ERA of 2.96 in 21 from 6 to 11 before trading.

The ground ball, bulk inning pitcher, has thrown more than 200 innings twice in one season. Overall, he’s 51-47 with a 3.76 ERA in 146 games, including 140 starts, over six major league seasons. He was the 2017 World Baseball Classic MVP and won a gold glove with Toronto later that year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.