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.

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

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)

CHICAGO (AP) — Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions entered the season with their sights set on the Super Bowl. Finishing a frustrating year by beating their division winner was at least some consolation.

Goff led five scoring drives, Jake Bates kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired and the Lions regrouped to beat the NFC North champion Chicago Bears 19-16 on Sunday after blowing a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter.

“It feels good to kind of get back to who we are and see it in live-speed reality,” Goff said.

What doesn't feel good? Missing the playoffs.

“It’s frustrating,” coach Dan Campbell said. "So that’s what fuels you. We don’t want to be doing that again next year. That’s not where we want to be. We have got to get in.”

The Bears (11-6) stumbled into the playoffs with back-to-back losses, though they secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC with Washington beating Philadelphia. Chicago will host Green Bay in a wild-card game next week and would have home-field advantage in the divisional round if it beats the Packers.

“We’re going to use this frustration,” said Caleb Williams, who set the franchise’s single-season passing record. “We’re going to get on a roll here this week, starting this week and that’s the focus.”

Williams threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes as the Bears wiped out a 16-0 deficit.

The Lions (9-8) started the final drive at their 37 after Chicago punted on fourth-and-5 at the 31. Bears coach Ben Johnson considered going for the first down but decided against it, figuring he had three timeouts and would probably get the ball back.

That didn't happen, and Detroit ended a disappointing season on a winning note when Bates nailed a 42-yarder. A 26-yard pass from Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown helped set up the field goal and Detroit came out on top after losing three in a row.

Goff shook off his worst game of the season by throwing for 331 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The four-time Pro Bowler completed 27 of 42 passes after setting season highs with two interceptions and three fumbles and matched one by getting sacked five times last week at Minnesota.

St. Brown had 139 yards on 11 receptions. Gibbs ran for 80 yards and had a touchdown catch. Avonte Maddox intercepted Williams in the end zone in the third quarter.

“I still believe the nucleus of this team is right,” Campbell said. “I really do. But we are going to need to make a few changes. Not just talking about that. It will be collectively. We’re going to have to work through some things to get the best version of ourselves.”

Williams threw for 212 yards, giving him 3,942 this season to surpass Erik Kramer’s franchise mark of 3,838 in 1995. Chicago remains the only team without a 4,000-yard passer.

Colston Loveland caught 10 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Byard had his league-leading seventh interception.

“They fought their tails off, but came up short,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to play better going forward, we’ve got to coach better going forward as well and we’re turning the page, though. We got the No. 2 seed, we’ve got a home game next week and we’ve got a new season on the horizon. Our guys should be reinvigorated by that. I know I certainly am.”

The Bears hadn’t made the playoffs since 2020. But they won the division in Johnson’s first season after finishing last a year ago.

Chicago trailed 16-0 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when Williams connected with Jahdae Walker for a 25-yard touchdown and broke Kramer’s record. A 2-point conversion run by Kyle Monangai cut it to 16-8.

After the Lions punted, Chicago went 88 yards for a touchdown, with Williams finding Colston Loveland in the end zone from the 1. A lunging Cole Kmet then hauled in the 2-point conversion pass in a crowd, tying it at 16 and whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

The Lions then had the ball at the Chicago 35 when Goff attempted to zip a pass to St. Brown. The Bears’ Jaquan Brisker tipped the ball and Byard picked it off at the 5.

Lions: WR Tom Kennedy (rib) was hurt returning a punt in the third quarter.

Bears: The Bears held out LT Ozzy Trapilo (knee/quad) after he was limited in practice during the week. ... LB Ty Summers (foot) left after he was injured on the opening kickoff. ... C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion) left after he was hurt on the winning drive.

Lions: Start the offseason.

Bears: Host Green Bay in a wild-card game next weekend.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates celebrates after kicking a field goal on the final play of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates (39) kicks a field goal on the final play of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) runs up field after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is sacked by Chicago Bears defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. (99) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) runs from Detroit Lions linebacker al-Quadin Muhammad (96) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) runs from Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)