Long-anticipated contract talks between the Mets and star right-hander Jacob deGrom have yet to get underway, though indications are that the sides will explore a new deal in camp. According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the sides will need to work quickly if they are to reach agreement, as deGrom has informed the team he will not negotiate during the season.
This news means that the Mets and deGrom have only about six weeks to hammer out the details of what promises to be a monster new contract, if one is to be reached at all. While it’s common for extensions to be announced during camp, it seems in this case that deGrom and his agents at CAA had anticipated much more background dialogue in the months between the Winter Meetings (when they met with Mets officials) and Spring Training.
To be sure, there’s no mandate that the sides reach agreement. They already have agreed to a $17MM arbitration salary for 2019, which includes a record-setting raise befitting deGrom’s historically notable 2018 season. And with deGrom under team control for one more season, there’d still be time to negotiate in the future.
Getting something done now, however, may be the Mets’ best chance to secure deGrom’s future services at a relatively palatable rate. Otherwise, the 30-year-old could decide to take on the risk of health or performance decline with hopes of eventually striking it rich in free agency. His relatively advanced age is a factor, to be sure, but to this point deGrom has been a workhorse and he projects to enter the open market in advance of his age-33 season. If his ensuing two campaigns are anything like the one he just wrapped up, he’ll have no trouble commanding big numbers on the open market. That said, deGrom is plainly interested in capitalizing on his 2018 excellence, and is also surely aware of the risks that come with pitching through two full MLB seasons.
There are some other considerations here. Puma notes, as Andy Martino of SNY.tv has suggested previously, that deGrom’s current agent — Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen’s former partner Jeff Berry — has suggested that players have on-field recourse to utilize against their employers to gain leverage in an increasingly unfriendly market setting. Specifically, he proposed that pitchers self-impose workload limits if they aren’t protected by long-term agreements. That path — sure to be highly controversial if implemented — seems to be on the table here. Public perception would be an important consideration in how that would play out, and also colors the present talks. The Mets had given fans (as well as deGrom) reason to believe that they’d make a big push to lock up the reigning NL Cy Young winner. Now, the onus seems to be on the organization to come forward with a significant offer.
Mets won’t do anything.
If they don’t lock him up,I’ll be shocked.Pay the man .He’s the best in baseball!
They don’t need to do anything. The Mets are riding on their awesome minor league system for new talent.
Metsie fans are proud of their team’s amazing ranking this week.
# 23 in MLB!!!
what r u smoking
They shouldn’t. They control him for the next two seasons. Worst case scenario is he’s the best pitcher in baseball during that time and becomes a free agent at age 33. What’s he get then- maybe something like 3 years $100 million? You have him this season at 17, maybe he makes 25 off another great season. That’s a potential cost of $142 for 5 seasons without assuming any risk of decline or injury over next two years.
Now, I suppose if he wants to lock in for 5 years at $100 million you look at that, but doesn’t sound like that’s something he’d go for.
If he can come close to repeating 2018, next offseason he will be asking for $25-26 million in arbitration and then $30 million, maybe more, in FA. Lock him up now for a 5/$120 mm deal that includes 2019. Gives the team about a $10 million savings over going year to year and then trying to sign him in FA.
He wouldn’t even consider a 5/100 at this point. Considering he’s due to make in all likelihood at least 40MM In the next two. Injuries are always a concern but that’s not a lot of upside for Degrom who has looked like the best pitcher in baseball. Any extension would have to start in the 5/150 range I believe.
Sorry Jake-State Farm won’t insure Jacob so he is not going all out until there is a contract. So either Wagon Wheel gets Mutt and Jeff to put on big
Boy underwear, Metsie fans expectations will be destroyed because “nobody can trust the Mets coaching and medical staff”. Look at their track record, would you?
Smart. Don’t get distracted in the season.
Interesting current dynamics between Van Wagenen and CAA. I’m willing to bet that the extension gets done but it’s now or never and DeGrom gets traded by the trade deadline if the Mets are out of contention.
Why? He’s not a FA until after next season.
If he has a signed long term deal for 5 or fewer years his value is higher in trade.
Why Mr. Bill?
Because Sluggo will wack the fans when he leaves.
After the season he had, his value wouldnt be any higher than right now so hopefully a deal gets done. He deserves it.
Right now you could get more money with an extension than on the free agent market. If deGrom gets injured or has an off year, his valve goes down.
“ And with deGrom under team control for one more season, there’d still be time to negotiate in the future.”
Next paragraph says he’ll be a free agent in three years. Am I misunderstanding something?
You’re not, the author didn’t address the issue clearly. Instead of just saying, deGrom is a free agent after the 2020 season he double spoke and created confusion.
Let’s get this done… BVW will sit out of these negotiations but I can see Jake getting a nice 5 year deal for about $150M or so
You think the Mets are going to pay 30 million dollars a year for a 37 year old pitcher?
A five year deal will likely get this done two years from now so why commit to that now?
Because then everybody else can bid on him.If you’re a Met fan and you trust them to outbid the Yankees Red Sox Dodgers Cubs and Phillies at that point. Good luck with that
If you are a Mets fan and trust them in ANY situation then your name should be spelled FOOL.
It’s not as though DeGrom is 37 years old now. He’ll turn 31 midway through this season.
There’s got to be a joke going over my head here with the 37 year old part.
A five year extension which includes 2019 would be for his age 31-35 seasons.
deGroom needs to look at the top free agents this year how their agents over priced them out of the market. Get the most money with a extension than watch a agent screw up his negotiations with your contract.
Believeme the Yanks Red Sox and Dodgers would be drooling to get DeGrom and thats just the start of the list. Teams like the Giants Phillies and Cubs would probably bein on it and the list will grow from there. Machado and Harper come with a lotof baggage and were looking for 10 year contracts DeGromis practically a choir boy and makes pretty much any of the teams mentioned one of the best pitching staffs in baseball
Sox and Yanks yes. Not the Dodger’s, and not sure why every poster here always references the Dodger’s to these big free agent contracts. They grow their own and pay their own. The Yanks over pay for other’s teams trophies, not the Dodger’s.
That’s funny. Last season 3 of the Dodgers 7 starters with 15+ starts were homegrown. This season one of those 3 homegrown starters is gone. 3 of the starting 8 position players were homegrown last season. This year will be the same.
Hey 101…need to lay off the weed buddy-it’s distorting your views. I get that the munchies are great in LA
Oh boy 101, you are eating too many avocados. Its time to look at the Yankees’ roster and stop stereotyping. You are what you cause others of doing. Its time to give up wearing your teenage sister’s thongs.
Corbin got a huge deal pretty early in the offseason because he was the top SP available and deGrom is a lot better than him. If deGrom hits free agency he will have no shortage of suitors
When Ronit. Not if. The clock is ticking.
Wish there was a deadline for Machado and Harper.
He’s a Free Agent after the 2020 season. He turns 32 in June 2020.
If he want’s an extension of greater than three years… Pass.
he deserves 5-6 years, easily.
Five or Six years based on today or based on when he becomes a free agent.
Giving him three years IS a five year contract.
Doing nothing now makes Mets sense.
Way overpaying him when he becomes a free agent makes Mets sense.
Huge DL issues the next season is history and the Mets way.
Is it possible to supersede arbitration years with a new contract? I think he’s locked in for $17M this year but I think 5/$150M may work if it includes next year.
no thank you. sorry.
Jon Lester is 35.You wouldn’t want him on your staff I’m sure. Verlander 36 who wants him. Sabbathia and Happ both had 3.65 eras last year at the age of 37 and 35.A pitcher like DeGrom knows how to pitch like the guys listed above. No reason he won’t be productive past 35.If you sign him your looking at 3 or 4 Cy Young or close type years and several good years. If you’re looking at 3 years.No chance
Guys like Verlander and Lester also had close to twice as many innings pitched going into their age 31 seasons as DeGrom does going into his age 31 season now. Serious injuries can’t be predicted, but from a natural wear and tear perspective, DeGrom should age quite well.
I was being sarcastic both those guys still good
Getting paid 17 million isn’t striking it rich?
Not for a takent like Degrom. Mets should pay if they want to keep him past this “entension”. He is really good, if not, I’m sure every other team in the league would find a spot for him, even the Marlins
Context matters….he had one of the best pitching performances in the past 20+ years, he has demonstrated consistency and not one great season (e.g. Porcello), and he has demonstrated that even with less than his best stuff he can still be highly effective. His age is a bit of a red herring because he has far less mileage on his arm since he didn’t convert to being a pitcher until the back half of his college career.
I think a 5 year deal (the current year, last arb year, and 3 FA years) is appealing to the Mets, though I’m sure he would prefer 6-7 years. I figure $17m, $20m for his arb years, followed by $30m/$30m/$30m is the top end of what he should expect. 5/$127m. He is “worth” probably around $30m AAV, but I doubt he gets more than $37m-$38m combined for his last 2 arb years, so that will drag down his AAV as compared to him being a FA. I think that level deal should work for both sides. I’m sure the Mets will try and be cheap and go $28m/$28m/$28m…but let’s hope they aren’t willing to lose deGrom over $6m-$10m.
I agree with most of what you said but if he has a comparable year to last year or even just a good year next year he’s looking at a minimum of 25 mill in arbitration maybe more. Two years of being a top 5 pitcher in the NL is not getting only 20 mill considering some of the arbitration numbers this year and the fact he is already making 17 mill this year
Fair point. Originally I was going to bump up his last year of arb estimate to be $22m-$24m., but that is a very big jump for a year. If he repeats his 2018 he would absolutely deserve it, I just know the arb system has a somewhat set approach and huge jumps can be hard to come by.
Arenado went from $17.75 MM to asking for $30 mm and settling for $26 MM in his final year of arbitration. If deGrom comes close to repeating 2018 that is what he will be looking at in arbitration next offseason. I said $25-26 million in another post. Then add 25-40% to that in FA. So that is $31.25 – $35 MM for 3 to 4 more years.
$17 + $25 + ($31.25 x 3) – $135.75 MM
I am pretty sure that deGrom would take a deal in the 5/120 range for 2019-2023 because of the security it would give him. That is a team friendly deal.
BVW needs to get something like that done. Even 6/150 would be team friendly and would make deGrom a Met through his age 36 season.
Wagon Wheel is out of money. He’s been seen in the clubhouse borrowing money for Starbucks as his ATM card was shut off by Mutt & Jeff.
If you’re a plumber it’s striking it rich.If you’re the best pitcher in baseball its peanuts. When the Rock gets 30 mill+ a picture for acting and a guy like Spielberg is worth 3,7 billion dollars 17 mill for someone who is the best at what he does in a billion+ dollar industry 17 mill is nothing
Not to rain on Mets fans parade, but I can see him dealt at the deadline.
It would be a disgrace if DeGrom walks but I agree with you the Mets are cheap and will end up offering him an extremely low contract and then try to paint it as him being unreasonable. You just can’t let the best player at his position walk but I think the Mets will
Don’t these moves they’ve made this year remind you of moves they made in the past that backfired?
They signed some productive veterans to reasonable short-term contracts- could be Granderson and Cabrera, could be Cuddyer and Bay. Is the risk-level any less with LeMahieu and Happ?
Granderson and Bay were four year deals.Lemahieu and Happ are 2 year deals and even though those were in the past and the Yankee trades are now those trades involved a higher yearly sum.How can you compare the two when discussing risk..Plus Bay and Granderson were both given those contracts at 31 and 34 which means the Mets were giving 4 year contracts to players who would be well into there 30s at the end of those contracts. Bay 35 Granderson 37. So yes risk level was far greater
Risk level for this year’s investments is less than Bay/Granderson/Cuddyer, though- BreakfastCerealMcChoadface was comparing Mets’ moves this year to previous years’ moves, and I was just trying to suggest that Mets’ moves this year are similar in cost/risk to LeMahieu and Happ, for similarly-aged players.
I think Mets moves this year could work out but Lowrie at 35 or Cano coming off steroids for 5 years 24 mill per at age 35 not really comparable to LeMahieu 2 years in his prime .Maybe the Lowrie deal comparable to Happ but LeMahieu deal carries minimal risk the Cano deal could be a team destroyer. None of the players you mentioned are comparable in age to LeMahieu so hard to understand that.He’s in his prime pretty much he’ll be 30 this year
Nor do they Carry the aav of Cano.
Well cano’s AAV isn’t what it looks like considering they took the dead money deals of Jay Bruce and Anthony Swarzak back with them.
Didn’t the. Mets trade Tom Seaver?
Yea I agree, I dont see the Mets competing
The team has clearly invested in going for it over the next 2-3 years, minimum. Even if this year goes poorly, it’s hard to envision them dealing him with another year left unless they get a Godfather offer.
Not neccessarily true.The Cano move was a money grab for the near future. This year they are getting 20 million dollars because the salaries of Swarzak and Bruce cover Cano’s salary. They also back loaded Famalias contract so he only counts for 6.6 mill this year. Next year I see the Mets dumping several contracts because if they don’t with DeGs and Thors contracts ballooning and Conforto and Nimmos contracts rising they will have a real large payroll. While they might compete this year if the Mets were truly going for it. They would be in on Machado or Harper or at the very least Keuchel
If the Mets added Keuchel I’d like their chances of coming out of that division a lot. A top four of Degrom,Thor, Keuchel and wheeler would move them ahead of the Nats in term of pitching rotations. Combined with diaz and familia on the back end that’d look like a pretty good team. And then you’d only have to be relying on one of Vargas/Matz. Can’t believe they made all these moves and aren’t looking at a Keuchel if his price has sufficiently dipped or even Gio to round out that rotation.
A team with a halfway competent and solvent ownership group would be all over Keuchel on a 3yr deal. I still think Morton was the arm to go for this off-season, as 3/$30m will be an absolute STEAL. I expect him to pitch closer to Corbin and better than Keuchel for the next 1-2 years.
Why? He’s not a FA until after next season.
The Wilpons remain the worst they never looked to extend the young pitchers when they could have for cheaper years ago and now they haven’t even make Jacob an offer. You know just because long term deals didn’t work out in the past doesn’t mean you should just stop giving them out of fear, but these are the Wilpons.
They are one of the worst ownership groups in sports. MLB should never have bailed them out, though I’m sure the other owners love having a crippled franchise in a major market bc they aren’t driving up the price on their players.
Letting DeGrom walk would be like the Yankees letting Jeter walk when he played but the Wilponzis are cheap idiots so I think he’ll end up walking and unfortunately Met fans have proven in the past that they’ll continue supporting the team and not place enough blame on management.I’m not a Met fan but Met management has shown nothing but disrespect to it’s base.The idea that a NYC team doesn’t always make a real effort to put a competitive team on the field is a disgrace.Met fans always point to there wild card run but I ask Met fans when was the last time you won the division.The 1980’s?.That is just unacceptable
David wright. Just because a long term deal didn’t work out in the past doesn’t mean you give them out in the future… yeah that’s exactly why you don’t lol. That’s why the market is where it’s at.
there is no way the Mets trade him at the deadline. at the very worst, they’d trade him next offseason when more teams would be bidding for him.
I really like de Grom but I am not sure how many years he will be offered after the 2020 season at what will be his age. the Mets should offer him a 4 year extension now (which turns into a 5 year deal) at good money.
the other factor is what Wheeler does this year. if the keeps improving, he is a FA at the end of this year. Losing him would put de Grom in a much better negotiating spot as they can’t lose 2 of their top 3 starters over a 2 year period.
A deadline?? More like DeGrump, amiright?!
If I were the Mets, I would wait one more year. He is under control for two more seasons so no need to rush.
You sign him now because next year if he has a good season he will get 25 mill in arbitration and be looking at 30 mill per in fa. Why would he sign an extension at that point which would be reasonable to the Mets. Next year it will cost you 4 years 120 mill minimum to keep him
If he has a bad season or an injury, his price may not come down but years might.
Spoken like a true Mets’ fan. Let’s wish for the worst case scenario and use it as justification for limp ownership.
The time to resign him for reasonable $$ was awhile ago. deGrom’s leverage is at it’s peak. Let him play out the deal. Maybe he continues to perform at that spectacular level. If so the cost to re-up him is about the same then as it is now. Maybe his health slips, maybe his performance slips, maybe father time peaks his head. Revisit the idea next offseason.
Next season Bill his new agents look at their former peer and wave their hands. When Wagon Wheel says, “What do you mean, you are not negotiating?” he is told, “Hey, one commissioned salesperson to a former one–tell your cheap bosses that you used to despise: TOUGH LUCK! No home town discount, no home town invitation to negotiate. No sentimentality since there was NEVER ANY GOOD FAITH. “
DeGrom is an excellent (top 3 ) pitcher but I wouldn’t be rushing to sign a long term deal. Mets have control for 2 more years and can spend those saved dollars elsewhere.
I honestly think they Mets will wait it out and see how this year goes. If they don’t reach the post season they will probably trade him in the off-season.
WHEN they don’t make the post season will be revealed before Labor Day, however the Wilpon’s WILL NOT develop brains nor balls by then to do the smart thing.
There’s no good reason to lock up these players unless they going to accept a contract that would be considered a discount. You can sign him for market value when he’s on the market and avoid 2 years of injury risk
I somewhat made the same point below. These threats are ridiculous. First of all because they are empty. Second of all because if you’re signing an “extension” its typically not going to be at market value. Its because you’re happy where you are and are willing to skip testing the market in favor of comfort both financially and location-wise.
Players nowadays are like, look how nice I am, I’ll let you talk to me before my contract is up. Its like they’ve forgotten who the bosses are. The point of an extension is the Dustin Pedroia discount. Even if it didn’t work out well on the back end for the Sox, at the time it was a friendly gesture by both sides to get that deal done. Compromises are made on both sides. These days players come to the table and say, I want 10 years… $300 million… and the offer on the table by Feb 17th. Get it done.
I’m glad the teams are starting to not only say no, but push back on the free agency market. The market needs to be kept in check just like any other.
So you are OK with Mookie, Sale and JD leaving then? You are a big shot because your team has lead MLB in salary cap for years. Imagine if their consistent investment in player personnel resembled the mentality of Pawtucket?
Pay the man.
100%. The Mets have earned a reputation for being cheap at the worst times and they should certainly pay the man. That being said, if its an extension to stay in New York, lets do a 7 year, $195-205 million contract.
DeGrom takes the risk out of the 2019 season and leaves roughly $50 million on the table to stay with the team that made him and the Mets probably wind up with a $50 million discount on what he’d hit on the open market. That’s how these extensions are supposed to work. If you want to stay, take the deal. If you want to go, just end the discussion before it starts. Teams seem scared to even start these negotiations these days because they know they are supposed to get a discount but lately most teams aren’t getting them on extensions. Players are asking for market value or higher on an extension. Its insane.
Hahaha. Fenway judging by your name you’re a Red Sox fan and your preaching restraint. That’s a good one. How much are you going to give Sale or Betts. Whats your payroll already. How many WS have you won recently.Easy to argue restraint when you have a team that goes out and buys everybody What are you paying Price.How about Porcello and yet you are arguing the Mets should show restraint with DeG. Why so your team can offer him 35 mill per year. as to extensions what are you going to offer Betts or Bogaerts Thanks for the laugh.
How is $195-205 million showing restraint?
I’m not preaching restraint at all. Quite the opposite if you saw 100% at the top. The Mets need to get the deal done and the deal is going to be pricey. But Price was a free agent. Not an extension candidate. Lester, the extension candidate is a good example. He was willing to take a discount and still walked because the Sox offer was too low. Porcello was a stupid deal. No doubt. But he did win a Cy Young and get it done when it mattered, so Its hard to hate on a $80 million extension when those are the end results. So I fail to see your point.
My point is that “extension” points to a player wanting to hang around and thus taking a hometown discount to stay. You don’t extend a guy at market value. That’s what free agency is for. Lately, players who are extension candidates (not free agents as your point suggests) are making demands as if they are free agents or barking threats at owners about what they want and when they want it.
In an employer/employee relationship, that’s not how it works and is never how its been in baseball until about 5-10 years ago.
P.S. My prediction, Sale isn’t resigned and Betts reaches free agency (whether or not they resign him then is yet tbd). Neither of them will find middle ground on an extension. Their results are too superb and the market is too messed up at the moment.
DeGromd id nothing like that DeGrom just said he didn’t want to discuss his extension once the season began.I was responding to the suggesrion that I believe you made originally that if the player doesn’t accept the extension the team dhould jus back out (or else)of bidding on the player suggesting thats what the Mets should do.That doesn’t exactly sound like a mutual discussion.Take our extension or else. I hadn’t even seen your later”offer.As to your Pedroia example.That wasn’t a discussion that was Pedroia just saying I want to play here pay me what you want. .I think your extension offer is real fair but not one the Mets would ever make. However I don’t think extensions are what you say they are. Extensions are primarily for players who haven’t had a big pay day yet giving up some money at free agency for more money in their arbitration years,DeGrom is already made for life so no real reason to give up money. Also DeGrom was a player who suffered big time because the Mets skimped on offensive players last year .If you were a player how much confidence would you have in the Mets management doing the right thing to help you win a WS
What’s most interesting about this type of post, Willy Mays is that the squeaky loyal Mets’ fans disappear from contributing.
The team should wait.
Wrong side of 30…..
Not sure why people don’t believe the Mets can compete this year. A good pitching staff is one big key and the Mets have a strong 1-2-3 with a potential 4th if Matz gets it together.
Wheeler after the All-Star break was outstanding.
They did not hit well last year. We can assume they will be better, not outstanding.
That said, I would not place any bets on the Mets winning the division or making the playoffs. However, they have a fighting chance thanks to their starting pitching and improved lineup.
If Matz had…..
Assume nothing.
Cant wait for your over confidence with Cano will de deflated by the reality of a player sliding on the downside of a career.
Mets’ fans always excited for a season with a “fighting chance”. THat’s code for “Wilpon’s pretending so we are as well”.
These deadlines are such nonsense. If the Mets walk up to him mid-season and say here’s 8 years and $240-260 million he’s going to take it. If he’s having a down season, he’s going to say “So, about that new contract.”
Its a completely empty threat players bark and a “respectful” way of saying, “Give me what I want, or else…” The excuses are ridiculous from “I want to focus on baseball” to “Its too close to free agency.”
I’m waiting for the team that not only says “or else” but takes themselves out of the bidding for the player entirely and puts a damper on their market. DeGrom is really, really good. But the Mets pitching has been a position of strength the last few seasons. If there’s an area I wouldn’t take it from, its the pitching staff. That staff and that pen are pretty impressive going into 2019.
I really hate these “statements” if you can’t tell…
Yeah but with it being Wheelers last year till fa and Thor a real health risk that could change quickly As to a damper on the market.The Mets pulling out of the bidding is what they do on everybody.How would that put a damper on the market.Being a Bosox fan I’m sure you are behind the Red Sox pulling out of the bidding for Betts Bogaerts Sale and Devers
Devers has many more years of team control left, and I’ll decide on that. But no, I’m actually one of the crazy ones.
Sale, you let walk and take the compensation pick. His delivery makes him too volatile for my likings for anther 5-7 years. Betts, I don’t believe the Sox will meet what he will get on the open market. Maybe, but the last contract of that kind they gave out was Manny Ramirez. If there’s one guy I’d resign, its Betts. But it will be in free agency unless he takes a mammoth discount (8/240?). If not, I actually consider trading him during the 2020 season or even before if I can get a deal I can’t turn down on a rental. Can’t let him go for a compensation pick.
Bogy will have one last hurrah in Boston and that’s it for him. The Sox are not going to spend at SS. They didn’t on Nomar or anyone in between.
I think the 2020 Sox (even before 2021) will have very little of this team left not named Benintendi or Devers who will still be under team control and Price who’s deal they are never getting out of (and why they won’t probably sign any more 7+ year deals without a damn good reason).
John Henry has outright said they aren’t maintaining this payroll forever, not even for long. His words.
Hey Fenway, the Mets’ ownership will never do that. Trader Dave will though because he is allowed to piss away John Henry’s money.
As a Yankee fan, I know deGrom won’t get a real extension offer. BVW still doesn’t have the combination to the safe behind the oil painting on Wilpon’s wall. But they have two years of control over him. That’s the breaks. The Mets also know that deGrom won’t be a cancer in the clubhouse. He will play good citizen till the end. He will just have to hope for the best when he’s 32/33 y.o. in free agency or hope he gets traded at the deadline this summer.
It’s not like he’s starving though. Let’s not shed any tears for a millionaire. And this is coming from a Mets fan.
Your trolls are weak sauce…
A Mets and Yankee fan?
Why don’t you declare that you are a Mets fan in your identity? You’ve named 4 other teams there, and still embarrassed to include your team? I bet that when you take your kids to Chitifield, you make them wear Met’s hats and you don’t.
Go back in the closet and put your Jet’s helmet on. The season is about to begin and its over already because of. fans like you who support Mutt & Jeff.
He’s a safer bet to age better than most guys, so being over 30 probably isn’t a huge concern. Mileage matters, and he’s only got 900 MLB innings on his arm.
For comparison, Clayton Kershaw is the same age, but has 2100 MLB innings on his arm – and that’s excluding the playoffs.
Best comparable in terms of performance and age would be Zach Grienke. Both had breakout seasons coming into their 30`s (2015 Grienke, 1.66 ERA, age 31|||||| 2018 DeGrom, 1.70 ERA, age 30) and prior to then, pitched effectively in consecutive seasons over multiple innings (2013 -2015 Grienke, 2.96 ERA over 592.1 IP||||2015 -2017 DeGrom, 3.05 ERA over 540.1 IP).
DeGrom differs in that he has more to offer then Grienke did at that point of his career. More strikeouts (10.2 K9 from 2015-2018 /to/ 2012-2015 Grienke’s 8.3 K9), more base -limiting abilities (7.4 H9, 2.1 BB9, 1.059 WHIP from 2015-2018 /to/ 2012-2015 Grienke’s 7.6 H9, 2.0 MY, 1.071 WHIP), more home runs (2015-2018 Degrom 0.8 HR9 /to/ 2012-2015 Grienke) and more injuries (Insert comp. Here).
To give points to Grienke, 2015 was his 2nd breakout season, as he was spectacular in 2009 at age 25 whilst DeGrom’s 2018 was one of a kind, in that he never had a season like it before.
He was and is a year younger then Grienke, but that might mean waiting another year would be more to the Mets benefit.
If he sinks, they can offer a contract with a lower AV with the risk of having reaccuring nightmares about either Matt Harvey or David Cone depending on if he signs or not (I know Cone was traded not a FA don’t @ me).
If he swims, you can try offering him a contract like a buff man opening a water bottle; repeatedly trying and failing(?). If the top brass don’t think a contract is possible (or too expensive) by the trade deadline they can….Keep him and let him walk at years end. Or get prospects, either or is fine.
And if he walks on water……..Well, see previous comment times 5.
2.69 and a 2.54 ERA are pretty good. Especially for your first two seasons. Last year was a step up above that but Degrom is extremely consistent. His control is impeccable that K/BB ratio is always top notch. I’d bet on Degrom being an elite pitcher every time.
Grienke logged similar (in terms of value) stats prior to 2015 as well, though unlike DeGrom, scuffled a bit after ’09 and suffered a heatstroke in 2016.
His performance after his 2015 year didn’t matter financially for him because, he got the contract he wanted prior to, but the same can’t be said for DeGrom.
DeGrom won’t be a free agent until 2021, but so long as he doesn’t stumble (in his performance) or fall (from injuries) this year, all bets will be in his favor for a long term, large wage contract; be it with the Mets or someteam else.
But yeah, DeGrom is a elite pitcher. I’m not going to argue with that.
I see him getting traded either at the deadline or next offseason, depending on whether the Mets are in the race.
Most likely deGrom gets traded at the trade deadline to a contender for some hot young prospects due to his age
deGrom is a great pitcher but he is ripe now and the Mets are not.
It makes sense to trade him for draft picks and let a contender that can win now with him and also afford him do so.
Becoming 33 in your 1st FA year is not too appealing for most teams looking to add deGrom 2 years from now.
It will be interesting to see who that contender will be that has the prospects the NYM want.
The Mets and DeGrom need to work out a deal that works for both sides. The Mets should offer DeGrom a 4 yr extension, beyond 2019, for $100 million. It buys out his final arbitration year plus 3 years of free agency. DeGrom gets a respectable $25 million AAV for years that pays him handsomely through his age 35 season. For the Mets, they extend their stud ace for a few million less per season then what he would have gotten in the open market. I think it’s fair for both sides.
Say DeGrom declines, bets on himself and then injures himself in 2019 or 2020. He then has little to no guarantee money after that. Better to take the security now over holding out for a few more million.
4/100, lol.
No way hes settling for that. Better get the coupons to open the wallet or hes gone in 2 years.
Spoken like a True Mets Fan Danny. Wish for the worst so you can protect your cheap owners. Are you nuts?
Do you realize that they pissed away $25 million per year on Cespedes and he was a flash in the pan one year wonder? Do you recall that he was injury plagued for many years before?
Do you think that Mutt and Jeff are still smarting from Wright’s contract, WHEN THEY COLLECTED ALL THST INSURANCE $$ AND DIDN’T REINVEST IT?
Your blind loyalty to the Mets’ ownership is pathetic.
I take it that he just wants to focus on pitching once the season starts. I’ve watched deGrom since he first came to spring training after his AA season and he has been nothing but Orel Hershiser/John Smoltz Workman-like. It’s not a power play, just wants to focus on work once he clocks in.
He’ll be traded at the deadline.
I’m pulling for you DeGrom. I’m a life long Mets fan. Just don’t say 17 mil and take care of my family in the same sentence again. 20 years in education at 60000 and I take care of my family too.
Good news that deGrom is considering an innings’ limit of the Mets don’t become a faithful employer.
I hope that his memory is vibrant that the Ace on their 2015 staff did not hang tough and follow his doctors’ recommended innings limit. Sandy in conjunction with Mutt and Jeff manipulated the NY press to bash Harvey. He blew out his body and was never the same. That cost he and his family a huge payday.
Don’t cave Jacob. All the fans are behind you. Anyone posting on here with negativity are dopes.