It appears one of the Mets’ main rivals for Jacob deGrom’s signature this winter isn’t too keen on the prospect of bringing the two-time Cy Young Award on board.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic Monday, the Texas Rangers “seem more confident of landing left-hander Carlos Rodon and possibly Japanese righty Kodai Senga than they do of signing the best available starting pitcher, Jacob deGrom.”
The Rangers had been listed as one of the favorites to lure the 34-year-old right-hander away from Queens in free agency after he declined his contract option with the Mets to test the open waters this winter. The AL West side was believed to potentially be able to offer a longer-term deal in a city that’s a bit closer to his home in Florida.
But outbidding the Mets — especially for deGrom — is a dangerous game to play in the Steve Cohen era despite injury concerns possibly limiting the figures of his deal. A healthy deGrom could have fetched as much as $50 million annually, which is still a feasible number if a new contract (from whichever suitor wins) is incentive-laden.
It isn’t an understatement to suggest the Mets could be desperate to bring deGrom back. Their starting rotation is very much in flux after deGrom, Chris Bassitt, and Taijuan Walker opted out of their deals this offseason — leaving Max Scherzer, Carlos Carrasco, Joey Lucchesi, David Peterson, and Tylor Megill as the only pitchers under contract for the 2023 season.
The Mets have reportedly contacted both 2022 AL Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander and highly-touted Japanese pitcher Kodai Senga as potential backup options should deGrom not sign. However, Rosenthal added that deGrom “appears to be [the Mets’] focus.”
Rosenthal also lists the Atlanta Braves as a team that could potentially be interested.
