Before the 2019 MLB season, New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom signed a five-year, $137.5 million extension to remain in Queens.
That deal, however, was always likely to end up being a four-year pact, because deGrom’s agency included an opt-out clause after the 2022 campaign.
deGrom is 34, but while he has suffered several injuries in the past two years, there are not a whole lot of miles on his right arm.
He started off being a shortstop and was even drafted like one.
He converted to pitching relatively recently.
In other words, he is not your prototypical 34-year-old pitcher who has been throwing a ball every five days since high school.
Since he finished the year healthy, he will generate plenty on interest on the market now that he opted out and is a free agent.
Yes: deGrom, perhaps the best pitcher in the world when healthy, is available just for money.
The Mets Should Be Favorites To Re-Sign deGrom, But…
Mets fans are understandably worried about the prospect of losing the heart and soul of the rotation.
I don’t wanna live in a world where Jacob deGrom isn’t a New York Met 😭
— Alex🌻 (@Lex_NdTheCity) November 7, 2022
However, that’s the nature of free agency: anything can happen and even the players you would think would return to their teams can end up signing elsewhere.
Just take a look at the Freddie Freeman saga last year.
It’s why Mets supporters have every reason to be worried and why New York Yankees fans could also prepare for the possibility of Aaron Judge playing on another team.
Money talks.
In the specific case of deGrom, the Mets have a good shot at retaining their services.
He recently said to a teammate he would like to stay, and he has an owner with money to offer him in bunches.
Speaking of Mets owner Steven Cohen, memes about him, deGrom, and Judge were plentiful on Twitter.
Jacob deGrom and Aaron Judge driving past each other outside of Steve Cohen's house pic.twitter.com/4Wxs3nDLXV
— Erik Son (@noterikcastro) November 7, 2022
Other teams are fantasizing about the possibility of signing deGrom, though.
Jacob DeGrom, you are a Texas Ranger @Rangers
— Jake Rotenberry ☻ (@jake_rotenberry) November 7, 2022
Jacob deGrom has just opted out of his contract with the Mets. I think the Giants would be silly not to try and sign him.
— Mitch Roberts (@mitchroberts30) November 7, 2022
There will be plenty of money available, and we may be talking about one of the richest deals for a pitcher in the history of baseball on a per-year basis.
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