2022-23 MLB free agency: Top 3 best fits for Jacob deGrom
NEW YORK (BVM) – In 2022, Jacob deGrom pitched to a solid 3.08 ERA. But for the two-time Cy Young winner, it felt like the sky was falling.
This is because of the unbelievable bar he has set for himself over the past few seasons. His 3.08 ERA was his worst since the 2017 season.
When it comes to performance there are zero questions with deGrom, but durability has put a wrench in predicting his future.
After deciding to opt out of the final year of his contract, he now enters free agency at 34 years old. And for the consensus best pitcher in baseball, there should be plenty of suitors.
Here are the landing spots that make the most sense for deGrom.
New York Mets
When Steve Cohen bought the Mets franchise two years ago, there was a sense of promise for the organization. Despite the lack of postseason success so far, Cohen has shown a clear effort to spend, highlighted by the contracts of Francisco Lindor and Max Scherzer. But there would be an element of “Same old Mets” if the best pitcher in the game left the club. Even if deGrom’s injury concerns make his contract an albatross in years to come, Cohen’s wallet should allow the Mets to absorb it, while continuing to field a contending team. They should give him a blank check.
Texas Rangers
The Rangers have shown the fans they are willing to spend money in recent years with the signings of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. But they need pitching. deGrom has been underpaid throughout his entire career, so he may look to maximize this contract from a money standpoint. If the Mets have a walkaway price, the Rangers might be in the best position to blow him away with an offer. If deGrom wants to prioritize winning, they can work out a deal similar to Carlos Correa’s from last offseason, giving him multiple opt-outs throughout a multi-year deal.
New York Yankees
Potentially Mets’ fans’ worst nightmare. If Aaron Judge winds up leaving the Bronx, there will be plenty of angry Yankees fans. One way to heal the pain is by giving a boatload of money to deGrom. If the Yankees have pause in giving 30-year-old Judge a seven or eight-year deal, it could make sense to pivot to deGrom, where they could offer a higher average annual value, but for fewer years.
