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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Stroman posts odd tweet about Shohei Ohtani and Mets 'dinosaur'

By Aaron Somers | Last updated 6/29/23

While the 2023 season is only reaching its midway point, there has already been plenty of speculation looking ahead to this winter's free-agent class — notably the potential future home of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani. Further complicating the speculation, plenty have wondered if the Los Angeles will (and/or should) consider trading the league's best player at the upcoming deadline.

The New York Mets have been a popular landing spot in speculation, dating back to Steve Cohen's purchase of the team and especially fueled by the spending he's been willing to commit to since. The subject of Ohtani coming to the Mets came up during Wednesday's broadcast, as Sports Illustrated's Jimmy Traina relays. The exchange between SNY broadcasters Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez was brief, to say the least:

"Cohen: If Ohtani were to sign with the Mets, would you allow him to wear No. 17?

Hernandez: Well, he couldn't.

Cohen: Well, with your permission he could.

Hernandez: Don't ask."

The Mets retired the number last season in honor of Hernandez, who spent seven seasons with the team from 1983-1989, following a 10-year stretch with the St. Louis Cardinals. With numerous All-Star appearances, Gold Glove Awards and an MVP on his resume Hernandez is among the best players of his era. Moreover, having regularly been on the team's broadcasts dating back to 1999 Hernandez is among the most popular Mets players ever.

None of that seemed to matter to current Chicago Cubs pitcher Marcus Stroman, a native New Yorker and former Met himself, who took to Twitter to respond:

Ohtani deserves 17 wherever he goes. Imagine losing Ohtani in free agency because some dinosaur wouldn’t give his number up. Lmao https://t.co/WwzudjoxFe
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) June 29, 2023

Stroman is entitled to his opinion, but this one seems like an unusual stand to take.

To begin with, why bother stepping into the argument at all? What uniform number Ohtani wears will have little impact on Stroman unless they end up as teammates, an unlikely possibility. Stroman himself will likely be on the free-agent market and could arguably be viewed as the next-best starting pitcher who could be available. Even Cohen isn't going to spend on bringing both of them in (regardless of the fact that Stroman continues to be hostile toward the Mets organization).

Stroman and Hernandez have some history, as the two have exchanged words through the media in the past. Stroman has even made a handful of comments on his social media accounts regarding Hernandez, so the lack of a respectful relationship between the two is not a surprise.

Stroman is producing among the game's best this season, but perhaps his focus should remain on the field.

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