ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 8: Texas Rangers’ Jacob deGrom #48 at Globe Life Field speaks to the media during his introductory press conference on December 8, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo: Ben Ludeman/Texas Rangers/Getty Images)
Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals (Photo: Scott Kane/Getty Images)
Jacob deGrom is already injured after signing massive $185M contract with Rangers , several MLB teams should feel smart that they didn’t overpay.
Entering MLB free agency, there are few names on the market as big as longtime Mets ace Jacob deGrom. While the effort to sign him was crowded, the Texas Rangers made a five-year, $185 million godfather offer — a hefty price tag for the 34-year-old.
If successful, it could be worth it for a Rangers team trying to make the leap. Unfortunately, this isn’t a great start. As pitchers reported to the Arizona Rangers for spring training on Wednesday, deGrom was unable to play because of a tight left side in the cold weather. Texas opted to stop him, despite downplaying the severity of the injury.
Having said that, the $185 million man has been knocked out, if only briefly. His recent injury history looks worse. Despite his presence on the field, deGrom is in his 30s and has started just 26 games over the past two seasons due to injuries. Already not being fully healthy and dealing with a problem, even a small one, is worrisome.
With interest in mind, though, there are a few MLB teams that have to feel in deGrom this offseason. Smart themselves, they didn’t overpay this pitcher to enter free agency. These three, in particular, had to be extremely pleased with the decision at this moment.
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Make no mistake, the St. Louis Cardinals are at least somewhat involved in Jacob deGrom free agency for a reason. The future of the rotation does look troubled.
St. Louis was the winner at last year’s trade deadline as they acquired Jordan Montgomery from the Yankees after arriving Absolutely great when the Cardinals. Beyond that, though, Adam Wainwright looks set to retire after the 2023 season, Miles Mikolas is good but not great and sneaking through his 30s, and Jack Flaherty and Steven Matz are struggling with their own injuries struggling.
So the prospect of getting an ace like deGrom is understandably enticing, especially if he can Keep the rotation at No. 1 for the next few years. Still, he won’t do the Cardinals any favors if he’s injured and not on the mound. Organizations should have no doubt they are still exploring all options to upgrade their pitchers as their lineup Looks capable of making it to the World Series. But with Texas deGrom’s early problems, St. Louis should feel good that they didn’t break the bank this offseason paying him as the answer to their problems.
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