Back in March, Jacob deGrom made it transparent he deliberate to decide out of his present contract with the Mets, becoming a member of the free-agent ranks on the finish of the 2022 season.
Despite lacking the primary 4 months with a tension response in his correct shoulder, deGrom reiterated his intentions in past due July, serving realize to the baseball global that he’ll be to be had q4. And now that the Mets had been eradicated via the Padres within the Wild Card Series, deGrom’s looming free agency turns into probably the most largest storylines within the recreation.
Though a few of deGrom’s air of mystery of invincibility appeared to put on off a little bit in September, he nonetheless posted a three.08 ERA in 11 begins whilst putting out 42.7% of the batters he confronted. (For context, San Francisco’s Carlos Rodón led certified starters for the season with a 33.4% strikeout charge.) And whilst deGrom wasn’t his sharpest in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, he nonetheless restricted the Padres to 2 runs over six innings within the Mets’ lone win of the postseason.
deGrom declined to disclose a lot about his free agency plans within the aftermath of New York’s removal by the hands of the Padres. When requested if he thinks he’ll be again with the Mets, he informed newshounds, “I have no idea. I’m no longer going to speak about any contract stuff. We’re dissatisfied we misplaced the baseball (generic term) this night.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” deGrom added. “It’s disappointing that we lost tonight. That was the goal, to move on. The plan was to be going to L.A., and that’s not what we’re doing, so I haven’t really thought about it right now.”
The Mets signed deGrom to a five-year, $137.5 million extension in March 2019, despite the fact that the deal integrated greater than $50 million in deferments, decreasing the present-day worth of the contract via just about $30 million.
Under his present deal, deGrom would earn $30.5 million in 2023, whilst the Mets would grasp a membership possibility value $32.5 million in 2024. After observing New York shell out $130 million over 3 years to signal Max Scherzer — a 37-year-old three-time NL Cy Young Award winner — final offseason, the 34-year-old deGrom — who owns a couple of Cy Youngs himself — must be capable to command a vital deal of his personal.
Unlike Scherzer, alternatively, deGrom brings an damage historical past that might purpose some doable suitors to suppose hard and long a few long-term contract. Who may the ones doable suitors be?
Here’s a take a look at seven conceivable touchdown spots for deGrom, indexed so as of perhaps to least:
The handiest crew deGrom has ever performed for, the Mets surely determine to make their pitch to stay the right-hander in Queens. Owner Steve Cohen has the monetary wherewithal to pay deGrom regardless of the marketplace will endure, however no crew is aware of the bits and bobs of the pitcher’s well being the best way the Mets do, which can make their technique to the negotiations attention-grabbing.
Should the Mets lose deGrom, may Cohen pivot and use that cash to handle the crew’s offense with a large bat corresponding to Aaron Judge?
Even after a 111-win season, the Dodgers have some critical paintings to do with their rotation this wintry weather. Walker Buehler will omit the 2023 season following his 2nd Tommy John surgical treatment, whilst Clayton Kershaw, Tyler Anderson and Andrew Heaney will every hit free agency. That leaves Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May within the rotation, and whilst that trio is proficient, including deGrom would stay Los Angeles in its acquainted function as NL favorites.
The Padres have greater than $50 million coming off the books this offseason, and with each Mike Clevinger and Sean Manaea headed for free agency q4 — to not point out Yu Darvish and Blake Snell doubtlessly doing the similar on the finish of the 2023 season — normal supervisor A.J. Preller may glance to strengthen the top of his rotation this wintry weather. Preller hasn’t ever been afraid to make a large splash, and signing deGrom would surely are compatible into that class.
The Giants are mentioned to be intent on pursuing Judge, but when they fail to land the slugger, may they alter route and check out to signal deGrom to steer the rotation? Rodón is more likely to decide out of the overall 12 months of his deal, leaving San Francisco wanting an ace. With handiest $70 million in wage assured in 2023 and $20.5 million in 2024, the Giants have quite a lot of payroll flexibility.
If the Mets may most likely take a run at Judge, why wouldn’t the Yankees do the similar with deGrom? His talent to take care of the New York highlight isn’t in query, which is usually a giant factor for the Yankees when taking into account free brokers. The Yankees determine to make Judge their No. 1 precedence, but when they lose the slugger, the rest can occur at that time, together with the speculation of pairing deGrom with Gerrit Cole atop the rotation.
What would Mets fanatics hate extra: dropping deGrom to the Yankees or the Braves? In early July, studies surfaced that Atlanta may well be probably the most frontrunners for deGrom after he opts out, despite the fact that that may require the Braves opening 2023 with the best payroll in crew historical past. With Dansby Swanson headed to free agency, working out their shortstop scenario may well be a larger precedence than including some other frontline starter. deGrom is a local of north Florida, and there was some hypothesis that enjoying for a crew on the subject of house may grasp some attraction.
This may look like a far-fetched state of affairs … however would it not be? Baltimore took a large step ahead in 2022, successful 83 video games whilst putting within the AL Wild Card race till the overall days of the season. With not up to $10 million in assured wage at the books for 2023 and past, including a bona fide ace to their crew of younger avid gamers could be an indication from the Orioles to the fan base that they’re excited about contending.