HE’S NOT OFF LIMITS
DeGrom unsure if he’ll cap innings without a contract extension
PORT ST. LUCIE — Mickey Callaway officially announced on Thursday that Jacob deGrom is the Mets' Opening Day starter, and that was expected. Moments later deGrom did not rule out an innings limit in the months to come, and that was striking.
All the focus was on deGrom's continuous long-term contract discussions during his first presser of spring training at First Data Field. The reigning Cy Young award winner and his agents at CAA recently set an Opening Day deadline for a decision to be made.
When deGrom was asked whether he would do a self-imposed workload limit if the deal does not happen, the right-hander could not provide a straight answer without stammering. He was also reluctant to expand.
“I think that's going to be a discussion that's going to have to be had with my agents,” deGrom said. “Ah, that's kind of ... That's going to be ... I'm going to have to sit down with them and really see what they think is best for me moving forward.”
DeGrom's agent at CAA, Jeff Berry, has been extremely vocal in recent weeks of how players must start look- ing out for themselves in the current climate of baseball. If deGrom has to choose between what's best for the Mets and ultimately looking out for himself, the righty said it would “definitely” put him in a tough spot.
“You play this game because you love and it and then you have an opportunity to look out for your family and your future, so I think you just have to see what's right for you to do,” deGrom said. “I think that's going to be a discussion that's going to have to be had with my agents.” The 30-year-old is set to earn $17 million in 2019 after receiving $7.4 million last season in his second year of arbitration. The bump is the highest in arbitration history and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen, his previous agent, said deGrom deserves every cent. Still, the Mets are reluctant to make an offer until their is more analysis on both sides of the conversations.
“I think one thing that we will be aware of on our side is, we want to protect Jacob deGrom as much as Jacob deGrom and his agents want to protect him,” Van Wagenen said. “He matters to us, not just in the regular season, but his impact is even more important to us in October. So as far as managing workloads with or without an extension, we're going to make sure that player's health is considered.
“My goal is for Jacob to be here for the long haul. We are going to be operating this spring with that goal in mind. Regardless of what happens by Opening Day, we're going to continue to have that mindset. From this chair, I think that he's important to what our plan is and our execution of the 'win now and win in the future' mantra.”
Both deGrom and Mets front office have made it clear they want the most electric pitcher in the NL to stay in Flushing for years to come.
“I really do enjoy playing here,” deGrom said. “I would like to be a part of the team's future. It's just how the game works. They have every right to do whatever. But as a player you would like to be thought of as a future part of the organization.”