Though there are just over two weeks between now and Opening Day, Mets ace Jacob deGrom said Tuesday that he’s still “optimistic” about coming to terms on a long-term deal with the organization (link via Anthony DiComo of MLB.com). Whatever talks have transpired, both the Mets and deGrom’s camp have done a good job of keeping things under wraps, as there’s been little reported on the matter since camp opened despite deGrom’s standing as one of the game’s elite talents. The right-hander stated again today that he “definitely” wants to be a part of the Mets’ future. It’s been one month since deGrom was reported to have placed an Opening Day deadline on extension talks with the Mets. He’s slated to earn $17MM in 2019 — his second-to-last season of arbitration eligibility — and is currently on track to become a free agent after the 2020 season.
More from the NL East …
- On the health side, the Mets have seen encouraging progress from a few players. Jed Lowrie has resumed baseball activities and could be on track to return from his knee sprain early in the season. There’s even an “outside shot” that he’s on the active roster on Opening Day, DiComo says. And backstop Travis d’Arnaud is expected to head north with the big league club after missing almost all of 2018, DiComo adds. d’Arnaud, who avoided arbitration at a $3.515MM salary, has continued to check boxes this spring as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
- Nationals outfielder Michael Taylor is turning heads inside and outside the organization, Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic writes (subscription link). While Victor Robles will be given a shot to make good on his promise, the Nats are also considering scenarios where he slides to right field to enable Taylor to roam in center. Utilizing such an alignment when there’s a lefty on the hill would also facilitate rest for Adam Eaton, who has been limited by leg ailments ever since arriving in Washington. Soon to turn 28, Taylor has had chances to seize regular time in the past but hasn’t managed to reach base consistently enough to fully realize his potential. He spent the winter working on swing mechanics and preparing to “stay[] strong on the mental side” with a more “positive” mindset. Taylor will enter the season fourth on the depth chart, but could still have ample opportunity with the Nats in the season to come and beyond.
- The Marlins pursued veteran outfielder Adam Jones before he signed with the Diamondbacks, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Those were the only two teams with interest in Jones, who suggested he was not inclined to consider minor-league offers. The Marlins ended up securing the services of some other veteran players on favorable terms, including a minors pact with outfielder Curtis Granderson; the club’s level of financial interest in Jones is not known. Jones says he “want[s] to play a few more years for sure, at least.”
It would have been interesting/awkward if ATL replaced Kakes with his good friend, Adam Jones. Anyone at Walmart on Black Friday can attest bargain bin shopping is cutthroat.
Can we get the correct link to Michael Taylor? currently links to the retired journeyman OF Michael Taylor
Google it!
I’m still in awe that anyone signed Adam Jones.
Why? He has one year of AAAA level performance and a long track record of being at least a solid contributor. For teams with big question marks or depth issues and a need for reliable outfielder to take up plate appearances, he makes sense on the 1 year contract he received. Chase Field has long been a hitter friendly facility where a guy like Jones can put up some more impressive numbers and establish some trade value at the deadline.
If Jones is motivated, he could easily show a significant bounce back campaign and he was cheap.
I agree. He has been borderline average MLB player for a couple years now and terrible in the of. I guess that is reflected in the lack of interest this winter.
His batted average would have been the second or third highest on most teams. Yeah yeah blah blah hitting for average has its goal built in.
If i was DeGrom, i would never sign long term with the Mets.
I would, who knows, maybe he gets injured or needs Tommy John, he can always fall back to being extended. plus, he’ll be a 32 year old free agent, and if players learned anything from the past few years, older players don’t get the money they want, or years.
Hey Bastros-2 things come to mind dummy.
1-
Never wish a player a “who knows, maybe he gets injured or needs Tommy John”.
2-Are you watching how Mets pitching is rounding into form for the season?
After a tease, Vargas is now getting lit up. So is Lugo.
If the thought is that he doesn’t think the Mets will make the WS during his career and he wants to pitch for a contender, then ok. But otherwise, he’s actually in a tough spot, since he’s definitely not going to produce the same numbers over the next 2 years, as that would be near impossible, so this is the best bargaining position he’ll likely ever have, and the best time to sign an extension if he wants a big contract.
Umm……remember 2015….. when the Mets made the WS? If you’re like me you were shocked….team wasn’t that good but hey, they made it. And during DeGrom’s career.
Let’s Go Mets! ! !!!
Agreed, you make an excellent point. That was a really awful Mets team – truly painful to watch.
Without Neil Walker there would have been NO post season run, and no World Series.
On the other hand the good news is that Matt Harvey most Probably would have stayed healthy as “TC” wouldn’t have had a chance to abuse his innings limit.
If you were “deGrom,” you might know how to properly spell your name.
Wrong Michael Taylor. It would be Michael A. Taylor.
I’ll believe Michael A Taylor has improved, when I see him do it consistently against Major League pitching. He’s had great ST success before, only to regress to his low avg, high SO, norm in the regular season.
Michael Taylor consider for hire IMG for sports psychologist support? Stick to new good approach takes coach and mentor. Some guy, tons of athlete talent, like Taylor, need more mentor and guide in order to stay focus and blossom all potential into result.
If I’m the Mets I wouldn’t sign DeGrom to a long term extension. His asking price will probably never be higher than it is right now, and he’s not going to replicate this past year, even if he does have a good year. Unless he’s willing to take a very team friendly extension, just ride out the two remaining years, and maybe re-sign him then, when as a 32 year old the market for him won’t be as demanding and his asking price may be lower than it is right now. Or if the Mets suck for the next two years, find the right time to trade him and get a ton of prospects, which they can’t do if he has a giant bloated contract attached to him.
He’s making $17MM this year and arbitration, by design, does not go down. He’ll be making in the $20M+’s over the next season either way – so why not get cost certainty and lock up a pitcher that has less mileage on his arm due to not really pitching until the minor leagues?
You make a good point. I suppose it really comes down to how many years and what kind of numbers he wants in an extension. Because there’s a big difference between paying the same amount this year and next, and then adding on a couple of years at the same rate, versus turning his contract into some 7 year giant monster deal that will likely result in the final years being an overpaid albatross of a contract.
That will never happen Ray. The Coupons always cheap out and anyone good is always left hanging and insulted.
Watch deGrom’s agent impose an innings limit quietly so that he starts to come out of games after 6 and by July the bullpen will implode.
Hey Ray—if you understood player values then you would have realized that last summer was the best time to trade him as they would have traded deGrom for one extra post season.
The second best time would have been this winter as he would have had three full seasons for the new team.
It’s the Mets so accept that in July,2020 they will trade him and not get very much. This is called Mets magic.
Granderson and Jones an the same team would be a nightmare in the outfield, but imagine all of the great professional interviews after each one of the Marlins 103 losses.
I hope Michael Taylor finally reaches his potential. I think if he were a starter with no competition he’d perform better. Just the fact that he mentioned the mental side of it makes me think he tries to do too much when he’s in.