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Marcus Stroman may soon be on his way out of Toronto

By David Salituro

BOSTON, MA - JULY 15: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park on July 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 15: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning at Fenway Park on July 15, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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Blue Jays may be looking to make another splash in the trade market as they discuss dealing Marcus Stroman to the Atlanta Braves, according to Jon Paul Morosi.

The Toronto Blue Jays already dealt one starting pitcher Thursday. Now another may be on his way out of town.

The Blue Jays are talking with the Atlanta Braves about a potential deal for RHP Marcus Stroman, according to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi.

Stroman, 27, was drafted by the Blue Jays in the first round in 2012. The general manager who picked him, Alex Anthopoulos, is now the GM of the Braves.

The Braves face an urgent need for starting pitching. Brandon McCarthy went on the 10-day DL on June 28 with a knee injury, and is not expected back until the middle of August. Another starter, Mike Soroka, may be out until September with shoulder inflammation.

Fortunately, the Braves have several pitching prospects to entice other teams to deal their veterans. These include 2017 fifth overall draft pick Kyle Wright, and Ian Anderson, picked third overall in 2016.

Stroman is just the type of player the Braves are looking for. While he is having the worst season of his career statistically, he has been much better since coming off the DL on June 23. He has a 3-7 record with a 5.42 ERA on the season, but a 3.03 ERA in his last six starts.

Stroman won’t be a free agent until 2020, but his latest contract negotiations didn’t go so well. After losing his arbitration case in February, Stroman tweeted: “The negative things that were said against me, by my own team, will never leave my mind.” He later clarified his comments, saying that he understands arbitration can be a tough process.

Dealing Stroman won’t be the first move the Blue Jays made to their starting rotation as they approach the July 31 trade deadline. Earlier on Thursday they sent J.A. Happ to the New York Yankees for outfielder Billy McKinney and third baseman Brandon Drury.

The Braves (54-44) are currently 1.5 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East lead. Stroman is 40-32 with a 3.82 ERA in his five-year career.

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