Stroman eager to embrace 'bright lights' of native New York

Marcus Stroman vows not to be one of those pitchers crushed by the pressure of pitching in New York — after all, he's a native.

A 28-year-old All-Star right-hander who grew up in Medford on Long Island, Stroman was acquired by the Mets from Toronto and hopes to debut for his new team on Friday at Pittsburgh as he fills a rotation slot vacated when Jason Vargas was dealt to Philadelphia.

"Oh, I think I'm ready for it. I mean, I think my personality kind of has shown that over the years, kind of never shy away from the bright lights," Stroman said Monday, a day after the trade was announced. "I get excited in the big moments, and I feel like I'm able to really kind of lock in. So I know that New York is obsessed with winning, and that's how I am. So I'm excited to kind of have that pressure behind me each and every start. I kind of enjoy that. I don't think the pressure behind it should faze me at all."

Toronto Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 19, 2019, in Detroit. (AP PhotoDuane Burleson)

Stroman is 6-11 in 21 starts despite a 2.96 ERA that was fifth-best in the American League. He grew up near Mets starter Steven Matz, about 50 miles from Citi Field, and Stroman's family was excited by the trade.

"I'm going to be able to play baseball in kind of my backyard. They're going to be able to come watch me pitch every game," Stroman said. "I didn't actually grow up a Met fan — I grew up a New York fan. I used to go watch Mets games as well as Yankee games. I actually played at Shea Stadium with my travel team when I was younger."

Barring more deals before Wednesday's trade deadline, he joins a rotation that includes NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler and Matz — a former high school rival and travel ball teammate. Stroman is eligible for arbitration next winter and can become a free agent after the 2020 season, and Toronto held only cursory talks over a long-term contract.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) reacts after teammate left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., not shown, made a diving catch on a foul ball from Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana, not shown, during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteCanadian Press via AP)

After Stroman was informed of the trade Sunday, he had a heated conversation with officials of the Blue Jays organization. That led to speculation he was unhappy with the swap. Toronto took the unusual step of keeping its clubhouse closed to media.

"The commotion was in a discussion that I had with some of our coaches, some of the higher-ups in our org, kind of just like an exit meeting," Stroman said. "I was just kind of voicing my opinion and I didn't like how a couple of things were handled along the process."

New York is 50-55 and started Monday six games back in the NL wild-card race, with six teams ahead for the two spots. Stroman denied he was disappointed he was not dealt to a team closer to a playoff berth.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman sits on the bench during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Tuesday, July 23, 2019 in Toronto. (Fred ThornhillCanadian Press via AP)

"I knew that I could kind of be shopped anywhere," he said. "It all hit me kind of quick, and once I kind of settled and I talked to my family, the excitement kind of all settled in."

Neither Stroman nor Toronto general manager Ross Atkins would disclose details.

"This city and country is very important to him. This organization was very important to him," Atkins said. "So it was very emotional".

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) throws against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteCanadian Press via AP)

Stroman is 47-45 with a 3.76 ERA in six big league seasons. The 5-foot-7 pitcher often is animated, which he thinks New York fans will appreciate.

"My energy is extremely authentic," he said. "When I'm between those lines, it's kind of a different savage, a different demon that kind of is out there — kind of go to a dark place to kind of put myself where I need to be, and I'm very passionate, very emotional. But away from the field I'm very relaxed and I'm kind of the opposite."

Toronto received 24-year-old left-hander Anthony Kay and 18-year-old righty Simeon Woods Richardson. As part of the swap, the Mets get $1.5 million from the Blue Jays to offset much of the $2,506,452 remaining on Stroman's $7.4 million salary this year.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) reacts after Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, not shown, struck out swinging to end the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteCanadian Press via AP)

Atkins said rebuilding Toronto narrowed eight-plus teams down to four in trade talks and did not have a firm offer until Sunday. His goal is to assemble a young roster around Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio and Bo Bichette, a trio of sons of former big league stars. Bichette who was brought up from the minor leagues Monday.

"It clearly doesn't make our current roster better," Atkins said. "Understandable that fans will be disappointed in not having Marcus Stroman and that absolute real asset today that we know can perform and make massive differences and wins and losses."

Notes: Toronto reassigned major league field coordinator Shelley Duncan to an as-yet untitled front-office role involving analytics and scouting.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) reacts as he walks to the dugout after finishing the top of the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Wednesday, July 24, 2019 in Toronto. (Nathan DenetteCanadian Press via AP)

AP freelance writer Ian Harrison contributed to this report.

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Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, right, jokes around in the dugout before playing in a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, in Toronto on Sunday, July 28, 2019. (Nathan DenetteThe Canadian Press via AP)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Four years after showing up late for the Beijing Olympics and missing one of his races because of a case of COVID-19, U.S. long track speedskater Casey Dawson is enjoying what he jokingly terms his “villain arc,” peaking at the right time ahead of the Milan Cortina Games.

Dawson secured a spot for next month in the men's 5,000 meters — an event he was forced to skip in 2022 while sick — by winning at that distance at the U.S. Olympic trials in 6 minutes, 12.857 seconds on Friday night.

“I actually got COVID two or three weeks before going to the competition. Tested positive for 50 straight tests,” said Dawson, a 25-year-old from Park City, Utah. “Couldn’t go over to the Games. I missed the opening ceremonies. Missed the 5,000 meters. Showed up 12 hours before my 1,500 meters. So I kind of got a little screwed over from that point of view. But this time around, I’m just looking forward to getting there smoothly and just getting a little bit of redemption.”

And then, with a chuckle, Dawson added: “It’s kind of fun to have, like, my villain arc, I would call it. Just coming back and having some fun.”

Ethan Cepuran was about 6 1/2 seconds back Friday, finishing next in 6:19.335.

The last American man to medal in the 5,000 at an Olympics was Chad Hedrick at the 2006 Turin Games.

Dawson already had secured the lone U.S. place for Milan in the men’s 10,000 — a race not being contested at these trials — and also will be part of the trio for men’s team pursuit at the Olympics.

Dawson, Cepuran and Emery Lehman took the bronze in that event in Beijing four years ago, set the world record in 2024 and claimed gold in the team pursuit at the world championships in March.

In the other race Friday, the women's 3,000, Greta Myers won in 4:06.799. As of now, the United States does not have a berth in Milan for that distance, but one of its athletes could end up in the field if another country relinquishes an opening.

“It's hard to wait,” said Myers, a 21-year-old from Lino Lakes, Minnesota. “But I'm very hopeful. I think it's at least a 50-50 chance that it'll happen.”

The U.S. Olympic roster for long track won't become official until the four-day trials at the Pettit National Ice Center wrap up on Monday. One element that could come into play is that the Americans are allowed to bring a maximum of eight men and six women to these Winter Games.

The biggest star of the team — and the sport — is scheduled to make his trials debut Saturday in the men's 1,000 meters: Jordan Stolz. The 21-year-old from Kewaskum, a town about 40 miles north of Milwaukee, is not just competing at home this week; he's racing at the same rink where he first began taking lessons as a kid.

He made his Olympic debut at age 17 in Beijing four years ago, finishing 13th in the 500 and 14th in the 1,000.

At both the 2023 and 2024 world championships, Stolz earned titles in each of the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters.

He's already pre-qualified for the Olympics based on performances at those three distances. All he really needs to do to lock down berths on the squad for the Feb. 6-22 Milan Cortina Games is show up at the starting line this week.

The 500 and 1,500 are slated for Sunday, and the mass start is Monday.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Casey Dawson, of Park City, Utah, right, and Ethan Cepuran, of Glen Ellyn, lllinois, left, compete in the men's 5,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speed skating at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Howard Fendrich)

The Pettit National Ice Center is seen in Milwaukee on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, the first day of the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speedskating. (AP Photo/Howard Fendrich)