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SEATTLE — In no uncertain terms, the Mets have made it known to teams Jacob deGrom is unavailable heading to Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline.
A rotation stud who could command a haul in prospects, deGrom is viewed within the organization as a building block for 2018, when the Mets expect to reload and compete for the playoffs.
The 29-year-old deGrom will gladly wear the designation of “untouchable” as a badge of honor.
“It’s nice that they think of me that way,” said deGrom, the Mets’ scheduled starting pitcher Saturday against the Mariners. “I am definitely honored. I enjoy playing here, but that stuff is out of your control, so you try not to think about it. But it’s definitely nice to be thought of as a guy they want to keep around.”
In a lost season for the Mets, deGrom has maintained his status as an elite starting pitcher. He will take a 12-3 record with a 3.30 ERA into Safeco Field, having won his past eight starts.
As the only starting pitcher among the Mets’ top seven to avoid the disabled list this season, deGrom also has given a shred of stability to an otherwise volatile rotation.
“We need a big outing and he goes out there and gives us eight innings,” manager Terry Collins said. “Right now, we are very lucky he is pitching as well as he is because with all the things that have happened to our rotation, he is the one mainstay in it that we know what we’re going to get.
“He’s probably throwing the ball as well right now as he has at any time in his career.areer. It’s just that he competes. He goes out there, doesn’t makee excuses, and goes out there and competes.”
Addison Reed, Asdrubal Ca-Cabrera, Jay Bruce andand Curtis Granderson are amongmong the play-players the Mets could dealdeal by 4 p.m. Monday, and deGromm is prepared for any change of scenery in the clubhouse. On Thursday,rsday, he said farewell to Lucas Duda,uda, who was traded to the Raysys for minor league pitcher Dreww Smith.
“You hate to see guys go, but that’s part of it,” deGrom said. “For me, it’s a littlee different be-because the last coupleuple of years we’ve been gettingg guys versus getting rid of guys. You build a re-relationship with theseese guys and they are your teammatesmates and you just wish them the best.”
DeGrom also hass watched his closest friend on thee team, Steven Matz, nosedive overver the past three weeks. The leftyfty has pitched to a 14.18 ERA in his past four starts, bewildering team officials
DeGrom endureded his own drought this season,n, a two-start stretch that began in late May over which he allowedowed 15 runs across eight innings.s.
“I have talked to [Matz] a little bit and just told himim to keep it simple,” deGrom said.aid. “See the glove and throw through it. I think with me, whenen I had those rough couple, I mightght have been watching too muchch video and overthinking and analyzingnalyzing stuff versus ‘There is the catcher’s mitt and that is whathat I’m going to try to hit.’ I mentionedntioned that to him and I think he will be fine. It’s just part of the game a little bit.”