This story was excerpted from Anthony DiComo's Mets Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
The Mets have done their homework, and so has Jacob deGrom. They’ve spoken to deGrom and his representatives. They’ve logged onto Zoom calls with rival aces. deGrom, in turn, has explored the idea of life in another market.
Now, the Winter Meetings are nearly underway, which means it’s time for both fact-finding missions to end. The Mets have enough information to determine once and for all if deGrom’s return to Flushing is realistic. What better venue to strike a deal than the Winter Meetings, with nearly every agent and executive in the game in one place?
Among the many things the Mets can accomplish in San Diego is a reunion with deGrom, or at least a real sense of whether that will be possible. So much of their offseason flows through the decision of their longtime ace, considering the impact deGrom could have on both their budget and roster construction. If deGrom walks, the Mets will be able to pivot to Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodón or others with more aggression.
Traditionally, the Winter Meetings have been kind to pitchers such as deGrom. In 2019, Gerrit Cole agreed to his record-setting nine-year, $324 million deal with the Yankees in San Diego. That same week, Stephen Strasburg inked a $245 million extension with the Nationals. At the 2014 Meetings -- also in San Diego -- Jon Lester moved from Boston to Chicago on a $155 million deal. In Las Vegas in 2008, CC Sabathia earned $161 million from the Yankees.
Could deGrom be next? With the Rangers, Braves, Dodgers, Rays and others reportedly interested, the Mets have incentive to put a big offer in front of deGrom and see what happens. This time next week, deGrom could effectively be a Met for life. If nothing else, the team hopes for clarity in its pursuit over the coming days.