Cubs' Updated 2022 Starting Rotation, Payroll After Marcus Stroman Contract

Marcus Stroman is on the move for the second time in his career. 

The veteran right-hander confirmed he will join the Chicago Cubs for the 2022 campaign:

The Cubs announced the pitcher signed a three-year pact, and Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the deal is worth $71 million, though it includes an opt out after two years:

According to Spotrac, the Cubs have approximately $93 million on the books for 2022 after the Stroman deal. The team currently has four players—Stroman, Jason Heyward ($22 million), Kyle Hendricks ($14 million) and Wade Miley ($10 million)—set to make more than $10 million.

Stroman had been with the New York Mets since being traded to the franchise from the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2019 campaign. However, 2021 was his first full year with the team after sitting out the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

The 30-year-old went 10-13 in 2021 with a 3.02 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 158 strikeouts in 179 innings across 33 starts. 

Stroman has proved to be a solid No. 2 starter throughout his eight-year career, owning a 3.63 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 179 career games. He was one of the best pitchers available on the open market next to Robbie Ray, Kevin Gausman and Max Scherzer.

Here is what the Cubs' rotation could look like in 2022:

• Kyle Hendricks
• Marcus Stroman
• Wade Miley
• Adbert Alzolay
• Alec Mills/Justin Steele

The Mets had plans to bring Stroman back for 2022 and beyond, but his price tag was just too high. The team has other areas on the roster it also needs to address, and they couldn't have done that if they re-signed Stroman to a lucrative deal. 

After his final start of the 2021 campaign, Stroman addressed the possibility of staying with the Mets or moving on to a new team.

"I'm open to anything," he said. "... At this point in my career, I can't wait to finally be on a team where I know I'm going to be there for longer than a year."

The Cubs had been linked to Stroman throughout the winter, so it should come as no surprise he opted to sign with Chicago.