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?
