Mets Sign Jacob DeGrom To Five-Year, $137.5 Million Extension

Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets throws a pitch

The New York Mets took care of Jacob DeGrom this week with a five-year, $137.5 million extension. The reigning NL Cy Young winner was set to make $17 million this year and was arbitration-eligible again in 2020. This extension replaces his current contract and negates his remaining arbitration years. Not only is this contract relatively team-friendly, but it’s a step in the right direction for the Wilpon Ownership group that wants to make the Mets a viable free agent destination. DeGrom has the ability to opt-out in 2022 but if he doesn’t do so, the Mets have a club option for 2024. If that’s picked up, the contract grows to six years, $170 million. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.

Jacob DeGrom Signs Extension with Mets

Last season, DeGrom dominated. In 217 innings, the 30-year-old posted a 1.70 ERA along with 269 strikeouts. Despite going 10-9 in 32 starts, he was a runaway choice for the Cy Young Award. His 10 wins were the lowest victories by any winner. However, if DeGrom were to keep producing at the rate he did last year, he’d earn the value of his full contract by September of 2020 according to WAR. While some may point to his record as a flaw, he received little support from a 77-85, fourth-place squad.

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Teammate Noah Syndergaard pushed for his teammate’s extension and has been critical of recent decisions made by ownership.

“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,” Syndergaard said.

With close to two years left under team control and an unusually late call-up to the big leagues, DeGrom’s extension was unneeded. Yet it was still done by management, continuing a trend in which players buck free agency to sign extensions with their current team.

Bill Piersa