*Photo from Bleacher Report*
Well, hello there, major blockbuster signing. The Texas Rangers and RHP Jacob deGrom have agreed to a 5 year, $185 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Rangers have officially confirmed the signing.
The deal is worth $185 over the 5 seasons of the deal, and has a conditional option for a 6th season, which, if exercised, would max the deal out at 6 years and $222 million. With the Rangers looking to improve their starting rotation, they turned to one of the best free agent options available to do so.
Rangers executive vice president and GM Chris Young said in a statement that "We are thrilled that Jacob deGrom has decided to become a Texas Ranger. Over a number of seasons, Jacob has been a standout major league pitcher, and he gives us a dominant performer at the top of our rotation. One of our primary goals this offseason is to strengthen our starting pitching, and we are adding one of the best."
Last season was another dominant year for deGrom despite missing a large chunk of time due to injury. deGrom ended the season with a 3.08 ERA, 2.13 FIP, and 0.75 WHIP, throwing 64 1/3 innings with 102 strikeouts in 11 starts. He allowed two runs in 5 innings in one postseason start last season.
deGrom has 9 seasons in the majors under his belt, all with the Mets. In that time, deGrom has a 2.52 ERA, 2.62 FIP, and 0.998 WHIP, notching 1,607 strikeouts over 209 starts, totaling 1,326 innings pitched. deGrom has a 2.90 ERA over 31 innings pitched in 5 career playoff starts.
From 2018 to 2021, deGrom ramped up his velocity from 96 mph on his fastball into the triple digits, topping out at 102 mph on the radar gun. He averaged 12 strikeouts per nine innings over that same stretch and has been selected to 4 all star games. He'll be in his age 35 season when he'll more than likely get the opening day start for the Rangers.
The biggest thing plaguing deGrom in his career has been injuries. He had Tommy John Surgery in the minor leagues before he made his MLB debut in 2014. Since then, he's dealt with back and arm issues, elbow inflammation, and a stress reaction in his right scapula. deGrom hasn't pitched a full season since making 32 starts in 2019.
deGrom joins Martin Perez, Jon Gray, and Jake Odorizzi in the Rangers rotation as things currently stand. Internal options for the last spot in the rotation include Dane Dunning, Cole Ragans, and Glenn Otto.
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