The Texas Rangers sign Jacob deGrom to a five-year contract worth $185 million dollars with a full no-trade clause.
The 34-year-old right-hander has spent his entire career with the New York Mets where he was a ninth-round draft pick out of Stetson University in 2010.
BREAKING: Right-hander Jacob deGrom has signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers, sources tell ESPN. Physical is passed. Deal is done. Includes conditional sixth-year option that would take total deal to $222 million. Full no-trade clause. A massive haul.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 3, 2022
Despite struggling to stay healthy the last few years, DeGrom declined a $30.5 million dollar option for 2023 and elected to become a free agent.
DeGrom did not make his 2022 debut until August 2nd due to an arm injury. However, in 64.2 innings, deGrom had a 0.75 WHIP with a 42.7% strikeout and a .173 batting average against.
After spending a ton of money to sign Corey Seager and Marcus Semien as free agents last year and recently hiring Bruce Bochy as their manager, the Rangers were looking to add a frontline starting pitcher.
deGrom with the Mets
The Mets called deGrom up to the majors on May 2014. He was a relatively unheralded prospect but excelled immediately. In 2014 deGrom had a 2.69 ERA in 140.1 innings. He was named the NL Rookie of the Year.
On this date in 2014, Jacob deGrom made his Major League debut against the New York Yankees.
7 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 1-for-1 at the plate (the first hit for a pitcher all season)
The Mets lost 1-0 and a legend was born
No run support for de🐐
— We Gotta Believe (@GottaBelievePod) May 15, 2020
Over the next few years, deGrom added velocity becoming one of the hardest throwers in baseball while also developing a dominant slider. His change and curveball are also strong secondary offerings.
DeGrom has clearly been the best pitcher in baseball since 2014. However, the Mets always seem to struggle to score runs for deGrom who has never won more than 15 games in a season. deGrom has only been healthy enough to pitch 224.1 innings over the last three years. When he has pitched, deGrom has continued to excel.
Jacob deGrom had the strikeout pitch working today. pic.twitter.com/hgpziPm6VO
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 10, 2021
Jacob deGrom's Fantasy Impact with the Texas Rangers
deGrom is obviously the unquestioned ace of the Rangers' pitching staff.
The Mets' Citi Field is a strong pitcher's park. The Rangers have only played at Globe Life Field for three years in terms of run production the park has been about average. The Rangers have the potential to be a solid defensive team, especially up the middle.
In reality, the main question with deGrom is simply how many innings he is going to pitch. If deGrom stays healthy for a full season he should have as much fantasy as any pitcher in baseball.
Jacob deGrom's Departure Impact on the New York Mets
In addition to deGrom, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker are presently free agents. Currently, the Mets starting rotation has Max Scherzer and a lot of question marks. Tyler Megill showed some impressive skills early in 2022 but there are big health questions. Carlos Carrasco is 55 and faded badly down the stretch in 2022.
Steve Cohen will spend money and the Mets will likely be adding big name pitching. Carlos Rodon appears to be the most likely big signing for the Mets and now appears to be a top priority.
David Peterson and Joey Lucchesi are sleepers who could have some fantasy value. The Mets will win a lot of games and playing in a pitcher's park.
Final Thoughts on Jacob deGrom
This is the ultimate high-risk, high-reward signing.
deGrom could propel the Rangers into an immediate contender with the Astros and the Mariners in the American League West or the Rangers could be committing $185 million dollars to a pitcher who spends more time on the injured list than on the active roster.
If deGrom averages between 125 and 150 innings over the next five years this is a win for the Rangers.
Read all the F6P Fantasy Baseball articles this off-season.
