PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Jacob deGrom wants a contract extension with the Mets, and they want to extend deGrom. So far, neither side has made significant movement toward that common goal.
Such is the situation shadowing deGrom at the dawn of Mets camp, where on Thursday both he and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen told their sides of the story. Two days after deGrom's agency, CAA, set an Opening Day deadline to complete a contract extension, Van Wagenen revealed that lead agent Jeff Berry and his team will soon travel to Port St. Lucie in an attempt to hammer out a deal.:: Spring Training coverage presented by Camping World ::
"I would like to be a part of this team's future," deGrom said. "I would like the feeling to be mutual, but that's just something that we're going to have to see."
Over the past year, deGrom's opinion on an extension has evolved, as he has said more forcefully that he would like to remain in New York long-term. During a press conference Thursday -- one which Mets officials cut off after nine minutes despite deGrom's willingness to answer more questions -- he continually steered the conversation toward his enjoyment of his time in Flushing.
Van Wagenen offered a more measured approach, saying he has not made an offer because his front-office team has yet to evaluate all parameters of what a deal would look like.
"Everybody knows that Jacob deGrom is great," Van Wagenen said. "Everybody knows that Jacob deGrom deserves to be handsomely rewarded for his performance. We need to make sure that the contract and what we're willing to do is something he's willing to do, and it makes sense for this organization short-term and long-term. And that's what we're trying to work through right now."
A tipping point may occur before the end of the month, with Berry and his CAA team scheduled to fly to Port St. Lucie for in-person talks with Van Wagenen and the Mets. That doesn't mean the numbers will align -- the market rate for ace pitchers recently surpassed $30 million per season, though deGrom's relatively advanced age (30), the fact that he is two years from free agency and the dampened market conditions of the past two offseasons could all affect how much he makes.

Not only has deGrom stopped short of saying he would offer the Mets any sort of hometown discount, but Thursday, he went as far as to hint at what actions he might take if the Mets don't sign him. Berry, who became deGrom's agent when Van Wagenen left CAA to become the Mets' GM, has been outspoken in saying players on year-to-year contracts should limit their contributions both on and off the field, in essence holding out for greater security. When asked if he would consider scaling back his workload if he enters the regular season unsigned, deGrom -- who is coming off a career-high 217 innings -- said it's "going to be a discussion that's going to have to be had with my agents."
"I'm going to have to sit down with them and really see what they think is best for me moving forward," deGrom said. "You play this game because you love it, and then you have an opportunity to look out for your family and your future, so I think just you have to see what's right for you to do."
Such potential ugliness can still be avoided, most directly if the Mets and deGrom work out an extension. Even if they don't, Van Wagenen offered confidence that his and the team's relationship with deGrom will remain unchanged.
"I have no doubt that the two sides will know each other's positions, if nothing else, by the end of camp," Van Wagenen said. "And hopefully, we'll be on the same page."