Rumors are that the New York Yankees might be interested in Jacob deGrom. But that doesn’t mean they’ll actually be able to make it happen.
Every team should have an interest in Jacob deGrom. When healthy, he has established himself as arguably the best pitcher in baseball, and any team would benefit from having him atop their rotation.
But not every team can pursue deGrom. The expected price tag — a deal in the range of Max Scherzer’s three-year, $130 million contract — significantly limits the number of teams that can afford him. The New York Mets, Texas Rangers and perhaps Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams that have the ability and financial resources to sign him.
Another team, the New York Yankees, are reportedly interested in deGrom and have requested his medicals. But I’m skeptical that they’re a serious suitor.
Why the Yankees won’t actually be able to land Jacob deGrom
First, the Yankees have made it clear that re-signing Aaron Judge is their top priority. Signing Judge will require at least a seven-year commitment that should exceed $300 million and it’s difficult to imagine that they will add another big contract to the payroll until Judge’s free agency is settled.
That doesn’t mean the Yankees will be stagnant until Judge makes a decision. After all, they just re-signed Anthony Rizzo to a two-year contract. But it puts a limit on what they can do for the time being.
Going back to the Yankees’ reported interest in deGrom: teams request medicals on free agents all the time. It helps inform their decisions in the present. It helps inform future decisions should deGrom or any other player become available via trade. The more information you have, the better decisions you make. It’s all part of the process.
For deGrom, the medicals are a significant part of the equation. In 2021, he was a near-lock to win his third Cy Young Award before going on the Injured List with forearm tightness. He never pitched again that season. He was set to return last spring but missed the first four months of the season with a stress reaction in his scapula.
deGrom went over 365 days without pitching in a major-league game. He turns 35 in June and that injury risk will only increase as he gets older. And yes, while he showed in his first seven starts off the IL that he can still be an elite starting pitcher, he allowed 14 runs in his last 21 innings (four starts) this season. He finished the season with slightly more innings 64.1) than his teammate, All-Star closer Edwin Diaz (62).
So yes, while the Yankees do need another starting pitcher, they may be best served spending the majority of their resources on Aaron Judge and exploring other pitching options. They held extensive talks with the Miami Marlins regarding Pablo Lopez at the trade deadline last season and could rekindle those talks once again. They liked Jose Quintana at the deadline and now that he’s a free agent, could pursue him on a two or three-year contract.
The Yankees have no shortage of options on the pitching market. They are likely to add one, perhaps two starting pitchers before pitchers and catchers report in February. But with Judge unsigned and clearly their No. 1 priority, deGrom ending up in the Bronx feels like a pipe dream at best.