For a few years, Jacob deGrom wasn’t just great, he was untouchable. He didn’t just control the game against hitters, he embarrassed them. His fastball consistently hit speeds with minimum effort. His slider seemed almost magical. There was a moment when it seemed like he could revolutionize baseball itself. Between 2018 and 2021 he achieved an elite place with a 1.94 ERA and 774 strikeouts in 581 innings, earning two Cy Young Awards and setting new standards of excellence in the sport.

But that was then. deGrom, now 37 years old, has faced physical setbacks over time. From the beginning of 2021, he has only started 35 times – a low figure considering his past reliability as a baseball ace. In 2022 Texas signed him to a five-year deal worth $185 million with high hopes for his performance. But unfortunately, they’ve witnessed very little of his presence on the field. The Tommy John procedure wiped out almost all of his 2023 season and his short comeback in 2024 seemed more like a preview of what might never fully come to fruition.

So, the question has to be asked: Is it time for Jacob deGrom to walk away?

It’s a fair discussion. If we’re strictly talking about talent, deGrom is still elite when he’s on the mound. His mechanics remain smooth, his stuff is electric, and if his body cooperates, there’s a version of reality where he dominates again. But that’s the catch: his body never seems to cooperate. The wear and tear on his arm has reached a point where every outing feels like borrowed time.

Texas, understandably, will give him every opportunity to prove he’s still that guy. According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, manager Bruce Bochy said that deGrom’s set to make his Cactus League debut on March 6, and Rangers fans would love nothing more than to see their team’s investment finally pay off. But if another injury crops up? If he spends more time rehabbing than pitching in 2025? At some point, deGrom has to wonder whether the grind is still worth it.

Retirement isn’t an easy choice for a competitor like him. He’s spent his entire career proving people wrong, defying expectations, and making the impossible look routine. But Father Time is undefeated, and Jacob deGrom’s battle with durability has become a recurring nightmare.

Maybe he stays healthy this year. Maybe he reminds the world why hitters once feared stepping into the box against him. But if his body fails him again, he’ll face a reality even tougher than any lineup he’s ever dominated: it might finally be time to walk away.

Can Jacob deGrom reinvent himself?

If Jacob deGrom wants to prolong his baseball career he might need to change his game a bit. He’s always been known for throwing overpowering pitches with his fastball usually clocking around 99 mph even in recent games. With all the injuries adding up, it might not be wise to stick to the strategy anymore. Many top pitchers, like Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and even Clayton Kershaw have adjusted their style as they’ve gotten older, focusing more on accuracy pitch sequencing and using different kinds of pitches instead of just relying on speed alone.

Dealing with transformation, for deGrom, might involve relying on his slider and changeup – both standout tools in his career so far. This could also mean tweaking his mechanics to ease the strain on his arm and managing his workload strategically. The challenge? His commanding presence on the mound has always been his strength; altering that could push him beyond territory. However, if he hopes to remain pitching for a period to validate his contract and perhaps retire on his conditions, reinventing himself may not just be a choice but a requirement.

In the end, Jacob deGrom’s career journey has been a struggle between showcasing brilliance and maintaining durability. Despite his talent that allows him to excel even today, it seems that age might catch up with him sooner than later. Let’s see if he can rewrite his story with a triumphant comeback, or is it time to accept that his best days are behind him?