3 Jacob deGrom replacements for the New York Mets

Sep 14, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (16) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (16) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 17: Carlos Rodon #16 of the San Francisco Giants in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 17, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

With the news on Friday night that Jacob deGrom was signing a deal with the Texas Rangers, the New York Mets now must pivot to find his replacement.

According to reports, deGrom will leave the New York Mets after nine seasons and ink a five-year deal worth $185 million with the Texas Rangers. The move is a game-changer not only for the Rangers as they look to contend in the tough American League West, but also for the Mets, who now must figure out how to replace one of baseball’s best pitchers when healthy.

3 Jacob deGrom replacements for the New York Mets

New York Mets could replace Jacob deGrom with Carlos Rodon

There has already been plenty of buzz about Rodon finding his way to Citi Field, and that buzz could escalate now that deGrom is out of the picture.

Rodon would bring another left-handed arm to the Mets, and is coming off a season where he finished sixth in the NL Cy Young Award voting after leading MLB pitchers with 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings and a 2.25 FIP. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is coming off the two best seasons of his career (2021 with the Chicago White Sox and last season with the San Francisco Giants), so he is trending in the right direction to be a force for whichever team signs him this offseason.

With deGrom off the board, plenty of teams will be looking at Rodon as an answer for their needs on the mound. That list already includes the Mets, who now have extra motivation to bring him on board.