Without extension, deGrom might cut workload this year

PORT ST. LUCIE — Jacob deGrom wants to extend his relationship with the Mets long term, but is still waiting for the team to step up with an offer.

And if an agreement can’t be reached by his imposed Opening Day deadline, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner hasn’t ruled out the idea he will look to reduce his workload in 2019 to protect future interests.

“You play this game because you love it and then you have an opportunity to look out for your family and your future, so you have to see what’s right for you to do, and I think that’s a discussion that’s going to have to be had with my agents,” deGrom said Thursday at First Data Field, following the first official workout of spring training for Mets pitchers and catchers.

Apotential workload reduction is a tactic deGrom’s agent at CAA, Jeff Berry, outlined in a recent memo to players that sought to address the historically slow free-agent markets the past two winters. Among the arguments that have been made against long-term deals for pitchers over 30 is the amount of wear and tear on their arms.

It’s unclear what a workload reduction would entail, but possibilities might include an innings cap for the season, limiting how deep deGrom works into his starts or reducing the number of games in which he appears.

DeGrom, 30, is under club control through 2020 and said he is unsure if he would definitely head to free agency if an agreement can’t be reached by Opening Day. The righthander last month received a record raise among arbitration-eligible players, when he agreed to a contract that will pay him $17 million for this season. DeGrom received $7.4 million last year.

Brodie Van Wagenen, who served as deGrom’s agent until leaving CAA to become Mets general manager in October, said the team was still trying to assess what the pitcher should be offered in a new deal.

“No offers [have been] made yet on either side,” Van Wagenen said. “Jacob is 100 percent of our future now and hopefully for years to come. Offers in contract negotiations can be complicated processes. There needs to be analysis done on the club’s side and on the player’s side. We are still going through our considerations on the club side.

“The [$17 million] deal that he received, not only did he deserve it, but it was also a recognition on our part that he deserved the highest raise in the history of the arbitration system. That goodwill hopefully now is shifting over to the next phase of our process.”

DeGrom became the fourth pitcher in franchise history to win the Cy Young Award, pitching to a major league-best 1.70 ERA last season. On Thursday he was named the team’s Opening Day starter by manager Mickey Callaway for March 28 in Washington.

“I would like to be part of this team’s future,” deGrom said. “I would like the feeling to be mutual, but that is just something that we are going to have to see. The main goal is just to get ready for the season and make sure I am ready to go out there and pitch.”

During last year’s All-Star break, Van Wagenen said the Mets should extend deGrom’s contract or trade him. Now Van Wagenen is on the other side, walking the tightrope of trying to defend the organization while maintaining his relationship with his former client.

And that includes ensuring deGrom doesn’t overextend himself.

“We want to protect Jacob deGrom as much as Jacob deGrom and as much as his agents want to protect him,” Van Wagenen said. “He matters to us not just during the regular season, but his impact is even more important for us in October. As far as managing workloads, with or without an extension, we are going to make sure the player’s health is considered.”

DeGrom could be angling for a contract that pays him in the neighborhood of $150 million for five seasons. Max Scherzer, Zach Greinke and David Price are among the pitchers earning at least $30 million annually.

“I have enjoyed my time here,” deGrom said. “I like playing in New York — love it. The fans have been great to me, great atmosphere and I would like to see myself as part of the future.”