This was J.A. Happ last year, the Blue Jay at media day at the All-Star Game handling questions about why he would soon no longer be a Blue Jay. Filling the uniform this year is Marcus Stroman.

As opposed to Happ last season, Stroman is not in his walk year. Similarly, the Yankees are interested — the Yanks did acquire Happ last season. Toronto received Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney, not much in return. One executive from another team interested in Stroman said he wondered if that might make Toronto gun-shy about doing another deal with the Yankees for an All-Star starter.

“I’ve come to terms with it,” Stroman said of all the trade talk. “It doesn’t change what I am doing in the moment. It doesn’t change that I am trying to win as many games as possible for the Toronto Blue Jays. I actually do love playing for the organization and the country. I am focused in on the moment. And what happens happens. That is my mantra right now. ”

Stroman has not pitched since enduring what was termed a pectoral cramp on June 29. The Blue Jays are hopeful he can start the first series after the break and resume auditioning for teams.

What’s to like? Stroman is known as a fierce competitor unafraid of big moments and he is an extreme ground-ball pitcher. Downside? Stroman does not strike out many and those close to the Blue Jays say he takes every slight hard. So would going to a baseball-crazed big market be an issue?

“No, not at all,” said Stroman, who is from Long Island. “I’m consistent now, I know where I am at. My mindset going forward is not going to change. There is nothing that deters me or throws me off. I don’t think going to any city can throw me off my nature.”