deGrom, Rangers agree to deal
On Friday, December 2, Jacob deGrom and the Texas Rangers agreed to a five-year, 185 million dollar contract, with an option for a sixth year that would bring the deal to a 222 million dollar total. The deal has an average annual value (AAV) of 37 million dollars per year, as well as a no-trade clause. We are officially living in a world where Jacob deGrom is not on the New York Mets.
Before free agency began, deGrom opted out of his five-year, 137.5 million dollar contract that he signed prior to the 2019 season. After an injury-riddled 2022 and having an opt-out available, deGrom decided that it would be best to seek a new deal.
The Mets were given no chance to counter. deGrom received the offer, accepted it, and did not think twice. A few weeks ago, it was reported that they offered deGrom a three-year contract worth 120 million dollars. So, it came down to the years, not the AAV. However, even if the years aligned, there is no guarantee that the all-star did not want a change of scenery or a bigger challenge.
As for the Rangers, they get their ace that will help them win now. deGrom joins Martin Perez, Jon Gray, and Jake Odorizzi, with Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter soon on their way. After spending half of a billion dollars last offseason on Marcus Semien and Corey Seager to help with the offense, general manager Chris Young and company now have an ace to build the staff around.
However, Young and the Rangers took a risk with deGrom’s health. It is no secret that deGrom is the most talented pitcher on the planet, but that is when he is healthy. Entering his age-35 season, there is no guarantee that he can stay completely healthy throughout his late thirties. Pitching just 156 innings in the past two seasons, deGrom has dealt with a partially torn UCL, shoulder strains, and a stress fracture in his right scapula all during that time.
However, the reward is well worth the risk. The Rangers recognized what they were working with financially and took a gamble. We know the cons regarding deGrom’s health, but this deal could actually end up being a steal. If deGrom stays healthy and performs at the elite level we all know he can, 37 million a year for five will have the Mets filled with regret.
The contract will most likely bring the two-time Cy Young award winner into retirement, as deGrom will be 39 when it expires. Obviously, we are not ruling out any Justin Verlander-type scenarios, but hard to see him pitching the way he does or better into his forties.
Despite the melancholy, gut-punching feeling, this signing now allows Steve Cohen, Billy Eppler, and the Mets to put their resources into other areas. Brandon Nimmo needs to become a priority. Perhaps signing either Carlos Rodon or Justin Verlander is your next bet. They could also sign a combination of Kodai Senga, Chris Bassitt, Jameson Taillon, or Andrew Heaney, as two of these guys provide good depth and can keep the rotation elite. Maybe exploring the trade market or signing some bullpen arms are on Cohen’s agenda. The point is that the Mets can now pour money into different places in order to improve ahead of the ’23 campaign.
One can only hope that the headlined signing is a spark plug for other big-name free agents to sign at the Winter Meetings, which began on Sunday night.
