CUTTING TO THE CHASE
Short-haired deGrom has tall task: Cy Young
PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob DeGrom doesn’t have long hair anymore, but his goals remain big-hair stuff: winning the NL Cy Young Award and a trip to the World Series for the Mets.
That’s hitting the ground running, and anyone who knows deGrom knows this is not false bravado. He truly believes in the pitching staff he anchors along with Noah Syndergaard, and the overall additions made this offseason: Jay Bruce, Todd Frazier and Anthony Swarzak.
His personal goal is top-of-the-mountain stuff.
“To win the Cy Young,’’ deGrom said Thursday at the Mets complex at First Data Field. “I’m definitely excited. We want to win the World Series. That’s everybody’s goal here. Those [new] guys are definitely going to help, looking forward to having them.’’
Asked specifically if he feels these Mets can win the World Series, deGrom answered, “Definitely. Last year we had so many injuries. We’ve got [Yoenis] Cespedes. [Michael] Conforto will be healthy. [Matt] Harvey, Noah, Steve [Matz], [Zack] Wheeler. Look at everybody who was hurt last year. You put all those guys back on the field and that makes a big difference.’’
It’s all about keeping them on the field.
“We are all here early and that just shows the commitment and what these guys are working for,’’ deGrom said. “I think every time one of our guys takes the mound our team is in a pretty good position.’’
The key is taking the mound, and that is where new manager Mickey Callaway and new pitching coach Dave Eiland come into the picture.
DeGrom threw 201 ¹ /3 innings last season, and what were supposed to be the other four starters — Harvey, Syndergaard, Matz and Wheeler — combined for only 276 innings. The biggest test for Callaway and Eiland is to have those pitchers make such big jumps in innings this year.
That’s why it would not be surprising for the Mets to add one more starter in this buyer’s market. They continue to look, according to sources.
DeGrom was 15-10 with a 3.53 ERA, but he had back-to-back starts — May 31 and June 6 — in which he surrendered a total of 15 runs in eight innings.
“Those were situations where I got frustrated and tried to do too much,’’ he said.
Here is where the new help comes into play. This is what already is making this spring different for the Mets pitching staff.
DeGrom threw another bullpen session, his second of the week, alongside Harvey. DeGrom went back to what he did before the 2015 World Series season, playing catch a little earlier and following Callaway’s offseason throwing program plan, and said he feels strong.
“Even over there today in the 25 pitches I threw, [Eiland] told me a couple things that are going to be keys for me,’’ deGrom said. “It’s muscle memory. Last year I felt I battled mechanics all year. Realizing that, and getting the reps here to try to make it muscle memory is a big thing.’’
Eiland is one of the best pitching coaches in the business, as was Callaway, and deGrom is going to take full advantage of that knowledge.
That makes a huge difference, and because he started throwing earlier he is going to be more ready. “Nothing crazy, just getting everything back moving,’’ deGrom said of his winter work.
All the pitchers look to be in good shape, one Mets executive said, even noting how “lean’’ Harvey looks this spring.
This group seems to have a purpose again.
“We talked today,’’ deGrom said of Harvey, Syndergaard and Matz. “The main thing is getting your work done. That way you can stay out there on the field. That will be a big thing for us.”
DeGrom repeated he would like a long-term deal “if the situation is right.” There have not been any talks, which is fine with him.
“Now it’s time to go play baseball,’’ he said.
That’s the bottom line, and with camp officially starting next week the Mets feel good about themselves, refreshed with the new additions, including manager and pitching coach.
DeGrom put down the challenge Thursday.