Jacob deGrom has been openly seeking a new contract from the New York Mets since the middle of last season, and the right-hander has finally gotten his wish.
According to numerous reports, deGrom and the Mets have reached agreement on a new five-year, $137.5 million contract. The deal runs from this season through 2023, with an opt-out after 2022 and a team option for the 2024 season.
DeGrom agreed to new, five-year, $137.5M contract with #Mets, sources tell The Athletic. Covering 2019 to ‘23 with club option for ‘24. Opt-out after ‘22. Deal first reported: @MartinoNYC.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 26, 2019
It appears Chris Sale helped set the market for deGrom with the new contract he signed with the Boston Red Sox. deGrom is a year older than Sale, and the two aces have been equally dominant over the past several seasons.
deGrom had previously agreed to a record arbitration salary of $17 million for 2019. He will still earn $17 million this season, though a portion of the money will come via a signing bonus.
DeGrom was set to earn $17M this season. Contract with #Mets technically includes $120.5M in new money. But appears from announcement that money was moved around, so 2019 salary possibly will be increased. AAV of new deal: $27.5M. Covers two years of arbitration, three FA years.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 26, 2019
The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner went 10-9 with an absurd 1.70 ERA in 217 innings pitched last season. While he recently did not sound optimistic about getting a new contract and would not rule out the possibility of pitching less in 2019 if he didn’t get one, deGrom should enter Opening Day a happy man.
