As you may know, I have not been following MLB in 2023 a great deal. However, I do feel compelled to comment on Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom's season ending Tommy John surgery.
I feel compelled to comment because I thought the Rangers were playing with fire in signing deGrom last December to the tune of $185 million over five seasons. When deGrom is healthy, he is one of the best in the game if not the very best. In six starts with Texas this season, deGrom went 2-0 with a 2.67 ERA striking out 45 while walking only four batters in 30.1 innings pitched.
However, deGrom last pitched on April 28th and now weeks later he is finished for this season and probably most of the 2024 season. Later this month, deGrom turns 35. If he does come back, I've said it before and I'll say it again - his best use is probably as a closer. Of course, Will Smith might have something to say about that.
As for the Rangers though, deGrom's injury won't hurt them in the short-term. The Rangers entered today atop the AL West with a four-game lead over the defending World Series champion Houston Astros. Bruce Bochy has done wonders for the team from the dugout. It also doesn't hurt they have a veteran starting rotation consisting of Nate Eovaldi, Jon Gray and Martin Perez along with Andrew Heaney with Dane Dunning filling in admirably in the number five spot.
Indeed, I think the Rangers will make the post-season this year largely without deGrom as the New York Mets did a year ago. However, given the Rangers' financial commitment to deGrom this could hurt them down the road. With the exception of Dunning, the Rangers' starting rotation is over 30 and having deGrom's salary on the books could limit their options come 2026 and 2027. But as long as the Rangers keep winning this year, deGrom's injury will be more of an inconvenience than insurmountable.
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