While all the eyes were on Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers have surprised the MLB world by landing veteran ace Jacob deGrom on a massive five-year contract. Notably, deGrom was a New York Mets pitcher before becoming a free agent after the 2022 MLB season.
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Per several reports, deGrom has signed a 5-year deal for a whopping $185 million with the Texas Rangers. As a result of this signing, the Mets will find themselves in a soup, after their righty pitcher, who led their pitching staff, has bid farewell to Queens.
Jacob deGrom delivers a shocking surprise to the New York Mets:
Jacob deGrom made his MLB debut with the New York Mets in 2014. Since then, the star pitcher, dubbed as the “most talented pitcher in the world” by ESPN columnist Jeff Passan, stuck around with the Mets for nine seasons.
OFFICIAL: We've signed RHP Jacob deGrom to a 5-year contract. pic.twitter.com/GXHFaOa6m9
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) December 3, 2022
The five-year contract also includes an option to extend deGrom’s stay in Texas after five years, making it a 6-year $222 million deal. In addition to that, the deal also covers a no-trade clause. That being said, deGrom is already 34 years old. And signing a five-year contract envisions a significant bet on the righty-pitchers health. Due to a stress fracture in his right scapula during spring training, the former Mets ace also delayed his entry into the 2022 season.
There was a mixture of reactions that surrounded this transfer. While the Mets fans were upset, Rangers fans were happy. At the same time, multiple people raised concerns with regard to deGrom’s health and many others pointed out that even with this gigantic transfer, the Rangers wouldn’t make the postseason.
This is how fans reacted to deGrom moving to Texas:
I’m crying rn pic.twitter.com/RtjudvAORa
— Santo (@santo_nunnari) December 3, 2022
You’re winning 60 games with or without deGrom on the Mets.
— Clayton Caldwell (@CGCaldwell89) December 3, 2022
Didn’t y’all say this last year after getting simein and seager?
— I❤️HaroldPerkins(9-3)(4-8) (@LukeFontenot10) December 3, 2022
Mets fans today. pic.twitter.com/8OfRqBQe0g
— . (@Bluescholarss) December 3, 2022
"Texas Rangers signing Jacob Degrom from the Mets"
The Astros:pic.twitter.com/jq5iNMuHn1
— Felix Valentin (@Pheelicks) December 3, 2022
— Ryan Shipley (@XenonSwift) December 3, 2022
All that for 80 wins
— jamfan40 (parody) (@jamfan40) December 3, 2022
3rd. Angels still exist
— Mauricio Dubon is a World Champion (@LShalong) December 3, 2022
already coping 😭😭🔥
— mango (@allknowerofball) December 3, 2022
i’m hiding my pain with a terrible tweet 💔
— 🎺 🇺🇸 USMNT Enjoyer ⚽️🎺 (@krypto002) December 3, 2022
Cry harder
— Will (@WillRucker44) December 3, 2022
You can’t blame him for taking a 5 year contract and I don’t blame the Mets for not offering that. I say spend that $ and sign Trea Turner who will win more games than Jake will.
— theater4ever (@theater4ever1) December 3, 2022
Since his debut in 2014, deGrom won the Rookie of the Year award in 2014, followed by four All-Star appearances in the years coming ahead. Today, he’s won two National League Cy Young awards and led the list of strikeouts twice, in 2019 and 2020.
How will deGrom’s exit affect the New York Mets?
While 2022 was an injury-plagued season for Jacob deGrom, his presence contributed to an increased bullpen strength. Now, with his exit, the Mets will recommence their search for a pitcher to lead their defence staff.
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Will the Mets re-sign Chris Bassitt or will they start pursuing Justin Verlander and Carlos Rodón?
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What do you think? Let us know your predictions in the comments below.