Jacob deGrom, the renowned pitcher in New York Mets history, has debunked the false narrative that he was eager to leave New York upon entering free agency. In the previous offseason, deGrom inked a lucrative five-year contract worth $185 million with the Texas Rangers, and there is an option for a sixth year. Dismissing rumors, deGrom told Joel Sherman of The Post that he did not appreciate when people claimed he wanted to leave New York because he genuinely enjoyed pitching for the Mets. He explained, “You know me well enough—I just love being on the mound. I understand the other aspects that come with it, but ultimately, I want to step onto the field, compete, and prepare for the next game. I feel like I accomplished that during my time in New York.”
During his tenure in Queens, deGrom transformed from an unknown prospect into one of the finest pitchers in baseball, earning two Cy Young Awards. Prior to the 2019 season, he agreed to a team-friendly five-year extension, valued at $137.5 million, which included an opt-out clause after the 2022 season. However, the average annual salary of $27.5 million in his contract soon became overshadowed by the salaries of other talented pitchers. Nevertheless, deGrom insisted he never held any bitterness about his previous deal. He shared, “If someone had told me at the beginning of my career that I would receive such a contract, I would have found it hard to believe. It’s life-changing money, so it’s wrong to say I was upset,” deGrom said.
In the last offseason, the 35-year-old exercised his opt-out clause, leading to speculation about his future with the Mets. Being from a quiet part of Florida and possessing a reserved personality, deGrom naturally gravitates towards a lifestyle away from the limelight. He acknowledged to Sherman that the lifestyle and pace of Texas suit him better. Ultimately, the Rangers surpassed all other teams with an enticing contract offer, surpassing even the deep pockets of Mets owner Steve Cohen. Although deGrom posted an impressive 2-0 record with a 2.67 ERA in six starts, he was forced to cease playing due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament, ultimately requiring Tommy John surgery.
When deGrom signed with the Rangers, one of his motivations was the desire to win consistently. Currently, the Rangers are just six victories away from reaching the World Series, a feat they have accomplished despite deGrom watching from the dugout due to his injury. The Mets’ ace expressed frustration at his inability to contribute and emphasized, “It’s incredibly disheartening.”
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