deGrom Spurns Mets, Signs with Texas Rangers

 Jacob deGrom’s days with the Mets are over.

deGrom signed a five-year $185 million deal, with a option for a sixth year that could push the deal to $222 million, or $37 million a year.

According to Andy Martino of SNY, Steve Cohen wished deGrom well. “He has the right to choose his team,” Cohen reportedly told Martino.

Reports are the Mets had a three-year $120 million offer for deGrom, but were never given the chance by deGrom to match the Rangers offer, which gives the opinion that deGrom wanted to leave New York. Instead deGrom takes less money per year ($37 million) to play in Texas as compared to $40 million per year for a shorter stay in New York. 

 

Opinions on the move of course vary dramatically. On one had its a huge blow to the Mets to lose one of the best pitchers in franchise history. A player who won two Cy Young Awards, and proved to be the best pitcher in baseball for a period of time. deGrom was a guy many wanted to be a lifetime Met.

At the same time, injuries plauged deGrom the past two years, as he missed almost all of the 2022 season rehabbing from an elbow injury. When he did return he wasn’t the same pitcher who dominated the sport, struggling a 5-4 record over 11 starts with a 3.08 ERA, his highest since 2017.

The question is where do the Mets go from here?

They could go after Justin Verlander or Carlos Rodon. Or they could look to Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga who is also on the market. The Mets are expected to act fast.