New York Mets Sign Jacob DeGrom To Five Year Extension

By Jim March 28, 2019

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The New York Mets have locked up the anchor of their pitching staff for the next five years. Earlier this week, they announced that they had signed starting right hander Jacob DeGrom to a five year deal worth $137.5 million.

The 30 year old DeGrom was initially set to make $17 million this year and become ‘arbitration eligible’ next season. The new extension replaces his previous contract and nullifies arbitration. The contract includes an opt-out after the 2022 season and a club option for 2024. Should the Mets pick up the 2024 option the deal will become a six year, $170 million package. There is also a full no trade clause. DeGrom will receive a $10 million signing bonus and will receive $7 million in salary this season. That amount will baloon to $23 million in 2020 and in excess of $30 million for the remaining term of the contract.

DeGrom had a strange season last year on a mediocre at best Mets team. The Mets went 77-85 and gave DeGrom little in the way of support as the right hander turned in a record of 10-9. Individually, however, he was brilliant with a 1.70 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 217 innings of work. That earned him the National League Cy Young Award. His ten victories are the fewest ever by a Cy Young Award winner in either league.

Teammate Noah Syndergaard expressed the thoughts of many Mets fans when asked about DeGrom’s contract situation last weekend:

“Jake’s the best pitcher in baseball right now. I think he deserves whatever amount he’s worth. I want to keep him happy, so when it does come time for him to reach free agency, he stays on our side pitching for the Mets. I just think they should quit all this fuss and pay the man already.”

DeGrom expressed relief that the deal had been finalized:

“It’s a relief. It definitely is. When it’s talked about, every time you throw, you do think about it. But it’s a relief, and I’m looking forward to getting the season started.”

The Mets will open the 2019 regular season on Wednesday as they face the Washington Nationals with their ace Max Scherzer on the mound. The expectations aren’t particularly high for the Mets this season–current World Series future betting odds have them installed as a +1600 choice to win putting them behind eight other teams.