Jacob deGrom is now a free agent.
As the New York Mets prepare for the free agency period in the MLB offseason, they do so knowing that deGrom will not come cheap and that it will take a large contract to retain him.
deGrom returned from a shoulder injury late in the 2022 season and proved to be every bit as good as advertised, going 5-4 in 11 starts with a 3.08 ERA and pitching a gem in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres.
Mets general manager Billy Eppler provided an update on the deGrom situation, saying that deGrom has expressed interest in returning to New York.
“I think there’s a good deal of interest there on his part,” said Eppler. “That was articulated a number of times during the season and reiterated in our most recent conversation.”
"I think there's a good deal of interest there on his part. That was articulated a number of times through the season and reiterated in our most recent conversation"
– Billy Eppler on Jacob deGrom's interest on remaining a Met pic.twitter.com/3nJUWTyMCg
— SNY (@SNYtv) November 9, 2022
deGrom Hopes To Remain A Met
This could bode well for the Mets.
While it will take a large contract to retain the former Cy Young Award winner, owner Steve Cohen has the money to make it happen.
And it appears that as of now, deGrom hopes to remain a Met for 2023 and beyond.
The 34-year-old has won two Cy Young Awards and a Rookie of the Year Award during his time with the Mets.
While the Mets will have some company in the deGrom sweepstakes, it appears that deGrom’s preference is to remain in New York, as was alluded to by Eppler.
New York has already retained closer Edwin Diaz.
Now the focus is on keeping deGrom in a Mets uniform.
NEXT: Should The Mets Sign Jacob deGrom At All Costs?