Jacob deGrom says his future ‘is kind of in the Mets’ control’
“I would love to play here for my whole career,” deGrom said. “It’s just deciding what we see as the future.”
Jacob deGrom is one of the best starting pitchers in baseball, and has two years after this one before qualifying for free agency. Stuck on an awful Mets team, deGrom would probably be the hottest commodity on the trade market should New York decide to deal him.
deGrom and his agent on Monday made clear that the ball is currently in the Mets’ court.
CAA’s Brodie van Wagenen, agent for Jacob deGrom: “We have discussed Jacob’s future with the Mets at length. Jacob has expressed interest in exploring a long-term partnership that would keep him in a Mets uniform for years to come.” 1/2
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 16, 2018
More from Van Wagenen: “If the Mets don’t share same interest, we believe their best course of action is to seriously consider trade opportunities now.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 16, 2018
The inertia of current situation could complicate Jacob’s relationship with the club and creates an atmosphere of indecision.”
The 30-year-old right-hander has a major league-best 1.69 ERA this season in 19 starts, yet is just 5-4 thanks to a Mets team in freefall mode. deGrom has seven starts this season with at least seven innings while allowing zero or one run and no win.
New York, after starting the season 11-1, heads into the All-Star break at 39-55, the second-word record in the National League.
“We’ve been open to discussing long term deals with the Mets. There have been no numbers discussed,” deGrom said during his All-Star media session on Monday in Washigton D.C., as shown on MLB Network. “I have enjoyed my time here. In 2015 when we went to the World Series and we were a winning baseball team that was a lot of fun, and that’s what I want to get back to. I’d love to be here with the Mets.”
deGrom is making $7.4 million this season and has two more seasons of salary arbitration eligibility before qualifying for free agency after the 2020 season. His agent Brodie Van Wagenen of CAA clarified the earlier statement.
Brodie Van Wagenen in client Jacob deGrom: “It is not a demand for a trade. It is simply expressing Jacob’s interest to stay with the club long term (with an extension) and if he is not part of the future he understands that the club is better positioned to trade him.” #Mets
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 16, 2018
While not a demand, the timing of Van Wagenen’s comments — on the first day of All-Star festivities, when baseball has the national stage — are awfully convenient. As of Saturday the Mets seemed unwilling to deal either deGrom or Noah Syndergaard, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Monday’s comments at the very least provides the Mets a face-saving reason to trade their ace should they decide to change course. The Mets lost 92 games in 2017 and are on pace for 95 losses in 2018.
“I don’t think anybody has had fun losing baseball games,” deGrom said. “I would love to play here for my whole career. It’s just deciding what we see as the future. It’s something that is kind of in the Mets’ control.”