Mets biggest Jacob deGrom threat could be a surprise team

Jacob deGrom is opting out of his contract. The Mets would like to bring him back, but they’ll have some threats that want to pull him away

Jacob deGrom is going to opt out of his contract with the New York Mets. While that doesn’t mean he’s done in New York — deGrom can simply negotiate a longer, more lucrative deal if he so chooses to do so and the Mets offer him one — it does open him up to the free agent market.

With that decision comes lots of opportunities for other teams to make a play for the four-time All-Star and two-time Cy Young Award winner.

You’d expect the big ones. The Dodgers have been mentioned, so have the Padres. Maybe even the cross-town Yankees. But one surprise team has been thrown out as a good match, too: The Texas Rangers.

Here’s what FanSided’s Robert Murray had to say about the Rangers and their possible pursuit of deGrom:

"“I expect the theme of their offseason to be pitching, pitching and more pitching. deGrom is easily the best starting pitcher on the market and the Rangers, after spending over $550 million in free agency last winter, should make a call to see what it would take to bring deGrom to Texas.”"

While it’s not a report, it is well-informed speculation, and it makes sense.

Rangers are in spending season, and they need to make it work

The Rangers spent handsomely in the 2021 offseason, and with all the sunk cost, they probably need to continue to spend and/or retool to make it worth it. Yes, they’ve made changes in removing manager Chris Woodard and main front office executive Jon Daniels, but that doesn’t change the moves they’re on the hook for that have been made already.

The Rangers already have $104 million on the books for 2023 according to Spotrac with $20.5 million in club options. Corey Seager and Marcus Semien lead the way in salary, and starting pitcher Jon Gray already commands $15 million next year.

deGrom is obviously going to command a hefty salary, but the Rangers would like to improve on their 4.79 ERA which was nearly the worst in the American League.

deGrom will have his choice, but we’ll see if the Rangers shock the world and continue to spend on big names.

The Rangers’ newest general manager is Chris Young. Young was a 12-year pitcher in the MLB and signing a big-name pitcher would be a huge move in his first leading the team.