Where might deGrom land? Here are 9 potential spots
With the Winter Meetings set to start Sunday in San Diego, we’re taking a detailed have a look at a number of the most outstanding gamers eligible at no cost company.
Jacob deGrom
Position: Right-handed pitcher
2022 crew: New York Mets
Age (on Opening Day 2023): 34
2022 stats: 5-4, 3.08 ERA, 11 begins, 64 1/3 innings, 102 strikeouts, 8 walks, 0.75 WHIP, 126 ERA+
deGrom made it identified final spring that he deliberate to decide out of the ultimate yr of his contract with the Mets, and never even a four-month stint on the injured checklist was going to alter his thoughts.
The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner made solely 11 begins in 2022, and though his closing ERA was an un-deGrom-like 3.08, the right-hander regarded nearly as good as ever throughout his first seven outings, posting a 5-1 file with a 1.66 ERA, 63 strikeouts and 4 walks in 43 1/3 innings.
deGrom’s Statcast numbers have been additionally gaudy through the common season: He ranked within the high 3 percentile in strikeout price, stroll price, fastball velocity, fastball spin, whiff proportion and chase price.
In different phrases, if deGrom can keep wholesome, he stays among the finest arms within the sport. That, in fact, is a giant if.
Mets
New York desires deGrom again, although the membership has been exploring different choices — Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodón and Kodai Senga, particularly — within the occasion that the Mets’ longtime ace departs for an additional crew. Owner Steve Cohen has the flexibility to pay no matter he desires for deGrom, however the Mets produce other rotation holes to fill this winter. They additionally know extra about deGrom’s bodily situation than some other membership, so will probably be fascinating to see whether or not they’re keen to provide him a Max Scherzer-like contract to maintain him in Queens.
Rangers
Texas has been hooked up to nearly each free-agent pitcher this offseason — and with good cause. After signing Corey Seager and Marcus Semien for $500 million final winter, then hiring three-time World Series-champion supervisor Bruce Bochy this offseason, the Rangers are clearly in win-now territory. That means upgrading the beginning rotation, ideally with a bona-fide ace akin to deGrom.
Dodgers
With Walker Buehler more likely to miss all of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure, the Dodgers should deal with the rotation this winter. Clayton Kershaw seems to be headed again to Los Angeles, however Tyler Anderson signed with the Angels and Andrew Heaney is a free agent, leaving Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May to affix Kershaw within the beginning 5. Adding a No. 1 starter like deGrom would assist the Dodgers enter the season as favorites within the NL West for yet one more yr.
Padres
Mike Clevinger signed with the White Sox, and Sean Manaea remains to be a free agent, leaving a few spots within the rotation for the Padres to fill. Add in the truth that Yu Darvish and Blake Snell are each set to turn into free brokers subsequent winter, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see basic supervisor A.J. Preller look so as to add a front-line starter to the group because the Padres look to chase down the Dodgers.
Giants
Aaron Judge stays the Giants’ high precedence, however San Francisco is more likely to make a few massive free-agent strikes. With Carlos Rodón opting out and becoming a member of deGrom on the open market, the Giants are searching for any person to guide the rotation. If they fail to land Judge, might deGrom be that starter?
Yankees
Like the Giants, the Yankees are centered on Judge for the time being, however what is going to basic supervisor Brian Cashman do if he isn’t in a position to re-sign the reigning AL MVP? There isn’t a comparable slugger, so what about signing deGrom to pair with Gerrit Cole atop the rotation? deGrom is New York-tested, thrives within the highlight — and simply think about the again pages if he moved throughout city to the Bronx.
Rays
Tampa Bay has been in touch with deGrom’s camp, although big-money free brokers don’t usually land with the small-market Rays. deGrom grew up about two hours from Tampa, and the dearth of state revenue tax might assist the Rays persuade the pitcher to take a couple of million {dollars} off his asking value. This one appears like a protracted shot, however one price monitoring.
Braves
Atlanta has been talked about as a possible deGrom suitor because the summer season, although the Braves’ willingness to pay the pitcher might rely on what occurs with shortstop Dansby Swanson. Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton and Kyle Wright already kind the core of a powerful rotation, however the Braves would make an enormous assertion within the NL East in the event that they have been so as to add deGrom.
Orioles
GM Mike Elias has said that he plans to be concerned within the free-agent marketplace for the primary time since taking on in Baltimore, and signing deGrom could be an enormous assertion for the rising Orioles. Baltimore is wanting so as to add one or two starters along with a bat or two, so it’s unclear whether or not spending $40 million per yr on deGrom is lifelike. Still, after the Orioles’ shocking 83-win season, they might shock some of us with their offseason strikes.
deGrom topped the 200-inning mark in every season between 2017-19, then threw 68 innings in 12 begins through the pandemic-shortened 2020 marketing campaign. Injuries have restricted him to only 26 begins because the starting of 2021, nonetheless, elevating questions on his sturdiness as he hits his mid-30s. Given the stress that his otherworldly fastball can placed on his arm, groups is likely to be cautious of committing to deGrom into his late 30s.
Last winter, the Mets signed Max Scherzer to a three-year, $130 million deal, establishing a brand new common annual worth (AAV) of $43.3 million. Scherzer was getting into his age-37 season, whereas deGrom is getting into his age-35 marketing campaign, although Scherzer got here with fewer well being questions. deGrom might search for extra years than Scherzer obtained, however the AAV might exceed his, setting a brand new benchmark within the course of.
