After 9 season with the New York Mets, Jacob deGrom last night signed a 5-year, $185 million deal with the Texas Rangers. There is an option for an additional year in 2028 which increases the value to $222 million. However, I suspect that deGrom won't make it that far.
Don't get me wrong. Since his MLB debut in 2014, deGrom has been one of baseball's premier pitchers. He won NL Rookie of the Year in 2014, pitched on an NL pennant winner in 2015, has been named to four NL All-Star teams and won back to back NL Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019. In 209 big league starts, deGrom has gone 82-57 with a 2.52 ERA striking out 1607 batters in 1326 innings pitched while walking only 303 batters.
So what's not to like?
For starters, deGrom has not pitched over 100 innings since 2019. Granted no one pitched over 100 innings in the COVID shortened 2020 seasons, but as Jon Heyman noted deGrom pitched virtually the same number of innings in 2022 as Mets closer Edwin Diaz. Indeed, Diaz tossed 62 innings this past season as opposed to 64 innings from deGrom.
Back in April, I suggested the Mets convert deGrom into a closer because I don't think he can start 30 games as season anymore. Of course, the Rangers want him as a starter so they can go toe to toe with the Houston Astros in the AL West. I have a feeling the Rangers aren't going to get what they want out of deGrom going and will learn this the hard way.
Again don't get me wrong. When deGrom is able to take the mound in Texas he will be spectacular. But how often will he be able to do it? At 34 and with his recent injury history, I doubt deGrom can answer the bell every five days to toss seven innings. Unless the Rangers convert deGrom into a closer I think this contract will prove to be white elephant.
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