How does the Mets respond after losing Jacob DeGrom?
The biggest threat to signing Jacob DeGrom away from the New York Mets has always been the Texas Rangers.
On Friday night, DeGrom and the Rangers agreed terms on a five-year, $185 million contract that includes a conditional sixth-year option that could be worth up to $222 million. Physical complete. It was agreed.
It’s a great deal for both DeGrom and the Rangers. But it comes with an incredible risk.
DeGrom is entering his 35-year-old season. He came off an injury-plagued season as he threw 64.1 innings, just two more than former teammate and All-Star closer Edwin Diaz (62). He’s only scored 26 starts and 156.1 innings pitched over the past two years. A deal with an average price tag of $37 million, the second-highest average annual value for a starting pitcher in major league history, is a colossal gamble.
But if ever there was an archer of gambling, it’s the degrum. He is arguably the most talented pitcher in baseball. In nine major league seasons, he posted a 2.52 ERA, 1,607/303 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and won two Cy Young Awards. Now the two-time Cy Young Award winner is heading up a course in Texas under future Hall of Fame Director Bruce Bochy.
The Rangers set aside $500 million for Corey Seeger and Marcus Semin last winter. In the last 366 days, they have committed $764 million to Seager, Semien, deGrom, Jon Gray and Martin Perez. They’re all in it all, and they’re not done, especially with division rivals Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, who are aggressive in the free agent and trade markets.
With DeGrum Going to the Rangers, How Do the Mets Respond?
The Mets met up with free pitchers Carlos Rodon and Justin Verlander via Zoom. The meetings were a debriefing by both sides and for each side to gather information. For the Mets, those meetings have now proven particularly valuable. With DeGrom out of the plate early, the Mets now have that information at their disposal to focus on Rodon or Verlander should they choose.
Mets has other options. They have shown interest in re-signing starter Chris Bassett and Kodai Singha, who is considered the best pitcher among the Tier 2 starters. They could explore the trade market, which features names like Miami Marlins starter Pablo Lopez. Another option to overwhelm the Brewers could be either Corbin Burns or Brandon Woodruff, but the Milwaukee front office has made it clear to other teams that there is no rookie.
Still, the Mets have to do SomethingAnd they will. The pressure is on general manager Billy Eppler to get it right, especially after the loss of a potential Hall of Fame pitcher in DeGrom. Meanwhile, the Rangers are clearly trying to win a World Series – and opposing executives are now keeping a close eye on what might come next.
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