The Mets world was stunned last night when news surfaced that Jacob deGrom signed with the Texas Rangers for $185M over 5 years with a 6th year option that would bring the total contract value to $222M.
We had heard rumors for months about deGrom leaving the Mets. It was about money; it was about getting out of the big city; it was about anything someone could imagine to create a headline-grabbing story.
No one knew the truth, but we all knew the reality – as a free agent, Jacob deGrom could choose his destination and it may not be the Mets. So when I say we were stunned, it was not so much surprised as it was that cold slap in the face that he was now really gone. The hope that a deGrom-Scherzer tandem would last more than a month was gone.
There are so many things to reflect on here, both positive and negative for Mets fans. Here is my take:
The Negatives:
1) deGrom was the ultimate pitcher when he was healthy. Steve Gelbs said last night that baseball players are full of confidence and never think that another pitcher is unhittable – except deGrom. Numerous conversations with players on the Mets and other teams revealed that they were awed by deGrom but not by anyone else. When he was at his best and he was on the mound, the pleasure of watching him dominate was unique. We just lost that.
2) For all that has been said about his recent injury history and the scarcity of innings pitched in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, deGrom can come back healthy next year and with a normal spring training he can have a few more dominant Cy Young seasons – with another team.
3) Jacob deGrom oozed competitiveness and that set an example for the entire team. His level of preparation, his unbreakable will on the mound, and his repeatable precision motivated his teammates to up their game.
4) The starting rotation is not as good as it was yesterday. deGrom, Scherzer, Bassitt, Walker, Carrasco was a set of arms that few if any teams could match. There is much uncertainty about what next year’s rotation will look like, but it most likely won’t be THAT good.
The Positives:
1) Several writers on this blog have already said that the money that would have been spent on deGrom could be put to good use in building the team in multiple positions. The fact is that deGrom would have been on the 2023 payroll for $40M and that money is now freed up to pay more than one player (or to go get a Verlander). [note: deGrom rejected the Mets’ 3-yr $120M offer]
2) The uncertainty about whether we would retain deGrom is now gone. The Mets leadership team can now head to the winter meetings (which start this Sunday) with a very purposeful approach. They no longer have to hedge on how much money is available for other free agents because they might need it to sign Jake. They know very clearly that there is a very large hole to fill in the rotation so they can target the best solution.
3) By not out-bidding the Rangers, the Mets saved themselves from the demoralizing scenario that we have seen all too often – paying big money to a player that can’t perform due to injury. deGrom’s 2020-2021 seasons were not unique. Remember Yoenis Cespedes? The unravelling of Matt Harvey? Paying big money for one big piece is a very large risk to go with a very large potential reward.
4) Jacob deGrom had a very mediocre won-lost record despite his dominant franchise leading ERA, K/BB, and K/inn numbers. It is hard to pin that on something other than bad luck, but that wasn’t just one bad season. The 101 win Mets got 5 regular season wins last year from deGrom. One cannot see what the future Mets would be like with deGrom, but if you had $40M to replace 5 wins it would be a slam dunk.
Other notes:
1) I get really annoyed to hear the talking heads saying, “Jacob deGrom did not want to play for the New York Mets”. Unless your name is Mrs. deGrom, you really don’t know and this kind of speculation only pits the Mets’ fan base against a revered player. Enough of that – let’s just say that baseball is a business and Mr. deGrom just made a business deal that was better than anything that the experts predicted in both years and dollars. Good for him.
2) If Jacob deGrom regains his health, he may have many dominant years in front of him and some day he could be a hall of fame pitcher like another Mets’ castaway that ended up in Texas. However, this time it is not the Mets’ fault. Ownership did not give up on him, but rather made a business decision to offer him what they thought was fair value after evaluating talent, health, age, and many other factors. The Rangers offered him more than that and more than anyone else thought was reasonable.
3) For all you fans that bought a $125 Mets deGrom jersey, don’t throw it away yet. Save it for August 28th when the Rangers play at Citi Field. Wear it out of respect for a guy that gave Mets fans some incredible experiences that we will never forget. Don’t boo him for accepting a couple hundred million dollars for his services – wouldn’t you do the same?
20 comments:
Paul
The fact remains that deGrom did not allow the Mets to counter offer.
Players that want to stay with their existing team do things like that.
And Cohen has proven in the past that he will counter offer for players he wants.
Bad taste all around for me here.
. . .
With Jake, I understand the whole argument of lack of hitting and bullpen support. But possibly, could Mets’ players have been tight and afraid to screw up, affecting their performance, whereas playing behind a Bartolo Colon was party time?
In any event, we won’t know the future until it happens.
Now, back to the Mets, let’s get Ohtani.
Next is only word to use. He didn't seem to fit after we got Max who is really into the game and was obvious every time you looked in the dugout. Max also provided an intensity we haven't seen in some time AND a willingness to impart his wisdom to others which was really noticeable. I preferred Rodon anyway and getting this out of the way early enough so we can move on to other business is very important. Sorry Paul but I won't boo him but I also say don't let the door hit you on the way out.
I think we forget what a pain in tookas 1) the fans can be, 2) the press can be, 3) the traffic to/from the park can be, 4) the northeast weather can be, and 5) the taxman can be.
Add to that he won way too little here. He might just feel a change of scenery will boost his wins. 92 in 9 seasons.
I would lastly imagine those hitter comments about Jake pertained to starters. No doubt, they felt the same way about Edwin in 2022.
82 in 9 seasons…average of 9 a year.
The Mets will definitely miss deGrom, but despite Cohen's deep pockets, the injury risk and age risk are significant. I'm sorry to see him go, but I think he made the choice he wanted and we should wish him well for all he did for the Mets. The question now is how to replace him (and Bassitt and Walker).
Mack, that bad taste? I felt this was coming, and hence I was more unsparing in criticizing him for his 1-3 failure in September that May have cost them a trip to the World Series, and for him missing the equivalent of more than a consecutive 162 games. If he returned, I want 100 wins. If he didn’t, I want 100 wins. Get Ohtani.
You and I have both lived in Texas and are fully aware of the benefits of no state or local taxes coming out of your take home
Tom
I have witnessed minor league players crying in front of their lockers after being cut.
I just move on now.
Another upside.
This happened before the winter meetings started.
Bucklenup.
Assume Steve is as pissed at Jake as he was with Matz.
After the initial shock wore off, I have to say I am a firm believer that if you really don't want to be here...then see ya.
I feel it was unbelievably disingenuous to not at least come back to the team that has stuck with you through thick and thin and paid you 5 years, 137 million dollars for what about 30 wins. I guess there just isn't any loyalty left in sports.
Good luck in the armpit of Texas, pitching in 100-degree temperatures. He held this over our heads for an entire year, telling people he would like to come back. He couldn't hold Tom Seavers jockstrap. He was a champion, had a heart of a lion.
Jacob, I'm sorry to say you were never the franchise. You were just some guy who took our money and ran. Couldn't handle the pressure of New York so you had to slink away.
I won't wish him luck because I could now care less.
JoeP
Some added thoughts:
1) Mets won little of consequence with Jake.
2) 82 wins in 9 years while “fireballing” Wilbur Wood won 90 in a stretch of 4 years.
3) Jake’s aura was heightened by his ERA…deceptive, though…2.12 at home, .2.97 on road, but better win % on road. Why? NOBODY hits well in Citifield. It was the perfect park for him to build a deflated ERA and get bigger bucks for it.
So the ballpark helps the pitchers? Maybe more than it hurts the hitters.
OK, the ballpark is one of the more difficult to homer in. Even though the dimensions are comparable with many parks, the ball doesn't carry in this location. So it hurts sluggers. Hitters still hit as witnessed by our batting champion Jeff McNeil. An ERA benefits greatly when a HR sized fly ball dies on the warning track, so I'm sure Jake got some help there. However, there is no one else in baseball (ever) than could consistently throw 100mph into a baseball sized target on the black at the knees, so when he is healthy he will never be average in any ballpark. I will miss #48, but the team will not crumble in his absence. As mentioned in an earlier comment, this will steel the resolve of Mr. Cohen to build a winner.
As far as the Citi Disadvantage Card, simply look up Alonso's career stats home and away. It's real.
I get the range of emotions going on within the fan base………I have them, too.
BUT, the bottom line (IMO), is this;
5 years and 185 million in the hopes he stays healthy and produces like he did in the PAST. It is a gamble, plain and simple (and second generation contracts don’t usually age well).
A good rule to live by, is that the best indicator of future performance is usually the past. So, Jake will likely have his moments, but he will also likely continue to deal with injuries. That ratio will dictate if the move was a good one for Texas…….I would have passed, too
The Mets reported offer (3 years, 120 million) was very competitive and I am glad we didn’t get pulled into anything more.
Time to move on, right?
Hey nobody mentioned the guy pitches maybe into the 6th inning something thats "normal" in todays game but to truly be an ACE he should have been able to push through it for at least 7 innings AND win the big games. Maybe he didn't talk to Max enough but pretty sure he was planning this exit for awhile.
Also there's no way Stevie didn't see this coming and has a solid plan B in place. Lets Go Stevie!
Speaking of a plan B Rodon and Turner under our Met tree would work for me as I would love to have a stolen base guy at leadoff and sign a one deal with Bellinger for CF. So Max Rodon CC Bassitt and Peterson for starters and a lineup of Turner 2b Marte RF Lindor SS Alonso 1b McNeil RF Alvy/Baty DH Baty/EE 3b Nido/McCann C and Bellinger CF. I would give McCann a short leash here with Alvy getting time as well and let Vientos and Maurcio fight for bench and DH spots in the spring. This lineup could carry CB if his hitting doesn't come around but benefit from his defense and speed and knowing after the first third of a season our FO would fill in where needed. ( now Eppy you did a great job last year with one big exception: the trade for Ruf was brutal so here's hoping you got it out of your system and can move on).
It's been stated that the Rangers may have made the offer as a one-time take it or leave it one contingent on him not seeking a counter offer from the Mets. Also, the Mets may have made it clear what their parameters were and Jake knew it was a moot point. It's a sad day for Mets fans but tying up $200 million over 5-6 yrs to Jake wasn't a good idea. I think the team miscalculated last season in signing Max to a record-breaking contract without extending Jake. He was already disatisfied with his contract (feeling underpaid) and then they give Max the contract they did. I believe that offended Jake who probably felt it showed lack of confidence in him. He was the Ace and wasn't interested in sharing the title. At that point its possible Jake leaving was a fait accompli.
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