Rangers, Jacob deGrom agree to 5-year, $185M deal

play

Two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom agreed to a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers, according to sources.

The Rangers did not reveal the terms of the deal.

He missed the first four months of the season because of a stress reaction in his shoulder, and he had limited appearances over the past three years due to injuries.

Texas believed that deGrom could be a significant figure in the organization. He shattered expectations of a shorter-term deal with the five-year package that sources said includes a sixth- year option to bring the contract's total value to $222 million.

Less than a year after the Rangers signed second baseman Marcus Semien for seven years and $175 million, they signed a new second baseman. The Rangers spent more money than any other team in the off-season.

Spending continues even after bringing in deGrom with the biggest deal of the 2022-23 season. Sources said that the contract doesn't include deferred money or a no-trade clause. The lack of a state tax in Texas made it difficult for teams to compete with the Rangers.

In deGrom, the Rangers secured a right-handed pitcher with the best arsenal of pitches among starting pitchers: a 100 mph fastball, a hard-biting sliders, and a changeup.

In 11 starts, DeGrom had a record of 4-5 and a 3.08 earned run average, but his peripherals showed him to be even more dominant: 102 strikeouts against just eight walks, with nine home runs allowed.

It continued the sort of performances he had put up over the previous four seasons, when he won both of his Cy Youngs and elevated himself from a former ninth-round pick out of Stetson University.

deGrom wasn't considered a future star by the Mets because he didn't make his debut until a month before his 26th birthday.

By the end of his first season, expectations were raised.

He had signed a five-year contract extension in the spring of that year.

Some wondered if he would forgo the last two years of his contract after he missed more than half the season with arm issues.

With good reason, he did. The market for deGrom was strong despite his age and health concerns. Max was signed by the Mets a year ago despite being 37 years old.

With no deferrals or taxes, deGrom's value is $37 million a year higher than Cole's.

The Rangers were willing to go to that level. Texas planned on pursuing pitching and giving deGrom a fifth season signaled its intent to get the best pitcher on the market.

The Rangers are in a much better position now that they have deGrom, Gray, Martin Perez and Jake Odorizzi.

The American League West will be difficult. The Houston Astros, who won the World Series last year, and the Seattle Mariners, who won the wild card this year, are in the same division.