After a report that the Toronto Blue Jays had some clubhouse commotion after Sunday’s game, some joked that it was Marcus Stroman reacting angrily to his trade to the New York Mets. It turns out that’s reportedly precisely what it was.
Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reported Sunday that, while it wasn’t clear who it was or the reasoning behind it, someone was audibly unhappy in the Toronto clubhouse which led for it to be closed to media after Sunday’s game.
Unclear who or why, but someone was not happy in #BlueJays’ clubhouse post-game. A commotion could be heard from outside of the clubhouse. Wasn’t open to media post-game
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 28, 2019
On Monday, Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun reported that the reaction was, in fact, Stroman’s. The pitcher’s initial response to his deal to the Mets was described as “not pretty.”
The commotion inside the #Bluejays clubhouse on Sunday was indeed caused by outgoing Marcus Stroman, sources confirm. Word is his initial reaction to trade was not pretty. #Bluejays.
— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) July 29, 2019
The New York Post’s Mike Puma added some more context, noting that Stroman was hopeful he would be traded to a playoff contender and even possibly the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees.
Source says Stroman's clubhouse "commotion" yesterday with the Blue Jays was initial disappointment that he hadn't been traded to a contender; He thought he might be headed to the Red Sox, Yankees or Astros.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) July 29, 2019
Stroman grew up on Long Island, so there was some reason to think a move to New York might be to his liking. Maybe it still will be. It’s entirely possible that, after weeks of rumors linking him to contenders, Stroman was upset at being dealt to a team that won’t make the playoffs in 2019 and will require some serious work to even contend in 2020. Or perhaps it was simply a visceral reaction to being dealt from the only MLB team he’s ever been a part of.
