Reflecting on the year, Blue Jays Nation is taking a look at some of the articles that sparked interest amongst the readers and fans and counting down the most-viewed stories from the site.

The third article in the countdown will look at an <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/former-blue-jays-marcus-stroman-jordan-hicks-reportedly-gaining-steam-toward-new-deals">article written by Thomas Hall</a> on Jan. 10, 2024, looking at how two former Toronto Blue Jays pitchers, Marcus Stroman and Jordan Hicks, were close to signing deals.
On Jan. 10, 2024, MLB Network’s <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1745075833415270417">Jon Morosi reported that the New York Yankees and Stroman</a> were getting close to a deal.
<blockquote>The Yankees have emerged as the top candidate to sign Marcus Stroman, source says. I’m told the sides have had productive discussions in recent days.</blockquote>
Two days prior,<a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1744374807985107243"> USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported something similar</a>, noting that the two teams have had mutual interest since November’s General Manager Meetings.
<blockquote>The Yankees and free-agent starter Marcus Stroman continue to have mutual interest, which began in November at the GM meetings, with the Yankees still searching for another front-line starter on the free agent and trade markets.</blockquote>
As for Hicks, <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1744939959495061707">New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the market was picking up</a> for the reliever the Jays picked up before the 2024 trade deadline, Tweeting out:
<blockquote>Jordan Hicks market picking up. Most of the best relievers remain free. Hader is the top guy but there’s also Hicks, Stephenson, Maton, Chapman, Matt Moore, Brasier, Junis, Brebbia, Fujinami, Hand, more</blockquote>
A week later, Stroman signed with the Yankees to a two-year, $37 million deal with a vesting option for the 2026 season. Last season, the 33-year-old posted a 4.31 ERA and a 4.62 FIP in 154.2 innings pitched with a 16.7 K% and an 8.9 BB%. Although the Yankees won the American League pennant and played the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Stroman didn’t pitch for the Yankees in the postseason.
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As for the front-line starter for the rotation that Nightengale mentioned, it took a year but the Yankees signed left-handed pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal.
A day after Stroman signed with the Yankees, Hicks signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. In 2024, he pitched 109.2 innings with a 4.10 ERA and a 4.37 FIP, along with a 20 K% and a 9.8 BB%.
The Blue Jays acquired Hicks from the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2023 trade deadline for pitching prospects Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein. After the trade, the reliever pitched 24 innings with a 2.63 ERA and a 3.63 FIP, with a 22.9 K% and an 8.3 BB%.
Interestingly, the Giants signed Hicks to be a starter, as he started 20 of the 29 games he appeared in. Hicks had a 4.01 ERA and a 4.31 FIP in 98.2 innings pitched in the rotation, along with a 21 K% and a 9.6 BB%. In the final nine games he appeared in, his ERA increased to 4.91 while his FIP also increased to 4.89.
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As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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Reflecting on the year, Blue Jays Nation is taking a look at some of the articles that sparked interest amongst the readers and fans and counting down the most-viewed stories from the site.



The third article in the countdown will look at an <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/former-blue-jays-marcus-stroman-jordan-hicks-reportedly-gaining-steam-toward-new-deals">article written by Thomas Hall</a> on Jan. 10, 2024, looking at how two former Toronto Blue Jays pitchers, Marcus Stroman and Jordan Hicks, were close to signing deals.

On Jan. 10, 2024, MLB Network’s <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1745075833415270417">Jon Morosi reported that the New York Yankees and Stroman</a> were getting close to a deal.
<blockquote>The Yankees have emerged as the top candidate to sign Marcus Stroman, source says. I’m told the sides have had productive discussions in recent days.</blockquote>
Two days prior,<a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1744374807985107243"> USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported something similar</a>, noting that the two teams have had mutual interest since November’s General Manager Meetings.
<blockquote>The Yankees and free-agent starter Marcus Stroman continue to have mutual interest, which began in November at the GM meetings, with the Yankees still searching for another front-line starter on the free agent and trade markets.</blockquote>
As for Hicks, <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1744939959495061707">New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported that the market was picking up</a> for the reliever the Jays picked up before the 2024 trade deadline, Tweeting out:
<blockquote>Jordan Hicks market picking up. Most of the best relievers remain free. Hader is the top guy but there’s also Hicks, Stephenson, Maton, Chapman, Matt Moore, Brasier, Junis, Brebbia, Fujinami, Hand, more</blockquote>
A week later, Stroman signed with the Yankees to a two-year, $37 million deal with a vesting option for the 2026 season. Last season, the 33-year-old posted a 4.31 ERA and a 4.62 FIP in 154.2 innings pitched with a 16.7 K% and an 8.9 BB%. Although the Yankees won the American League pennant and played the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Stroman didn’t pitch for the Yankees in the postseason.
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As for the front-line starter for the rotation that Nightengale mentioned, it took a year but the Yankees signed left-handed pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal.

A day after Stroman signed with the Yankees, Hicks signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. In 2024, he pitched 109.2 innings with a 4.10 ERA and a 4.37 FIP, along with a 20 K% and a 9.8 BB%.

The Blue Jays acquired Hicks from the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2023 trade deadline for pitching prospects Sem Robberse and Adam Kloffenstein. After the trade, the reliever pitched 24 innings with a 2.63 ERA and a 3.63 FIP, with a 22.9 K% and an 8.3 BB%.

Interestingly, the Giants signed Hicks to be a starter, as he started 20 of the 29 games he appeared in. Hicks had a 4.01 ERA and a 4.31 FIP in 98.2 innings pitched in the rotation, along with a 21 K% and a 9.6 BB%. In the final nine games he appeared in, his ERA increased to 4.91 while his FIP also increased to 4.89.

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As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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Throwback Thursday: The Blue Jays acquire Devon White from Angels

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (18) celebrates after scoring the winning run on a double by right fielder Jorge Soler (12, not pictured) as Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23)walks off the field during the ninth inning at Angel Stadium.

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