Mets’ ace finally cashes in
Mets’ Cy Young Award winner agrees to deal for five years, $137.5M
National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob degrom and the New York Mets agree on a $137.5 million, five-year contract.
NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob degrom and the New York Mets agreed to a $137.5 million, five-year contract, a deal that guarantees an additional $120.5 million over four seasons.
New York and degrom had agreed in January to a $17 million, one-year deal, and he was on track to be eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.
His new deal calls for a $10 million signing bonus, half to be paid in January 2020 and the rest in January 2021. He gets a $7 million salary this season, $23 million in 2020, $33.5 million each in 2021 and 2022 and $30.5 million in 2023. The Mets have a $32.5 million option for 2024.
Degrom has the right to opt out of the deal after the 2022 season and become a free agent. He also gets the ability to block being traded.
A right-hander who turns 31 in June, degrom had a 1.70 ERA last year yet went 10-9 on a Mets team that finished 77-85. He allowed three runs or fewer in 29 consecutive starts to close the season, but the Mets were 11-18 in those games.
Degrom is 55-41 with a 2.67 ERA in five big league seasons. Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen represented the two-time All-star as co-head of CAA Baseball before the team
hired him last year.
“Jacob has proven that he is one of the best pitchers in baseball and we are excited that he is part of the short-term and long-term future of this organization,” Van Wagenen said.
At the Carrier Dome
The Mets went inside Syracuse’s Carrier Dome for the final tuneup of spring, and more than 4,000 fans made the moment special.
“It was awesome. Just to see how many people came out,” second-year manager Mickey Callaway said. “It was a great feeling. They filled this with a lot of energy and we felt it.”
The open workout attracted 4,296 fans and marked the first time the Carrier Dome played host to baseball since it opened in 1980. Batting cages were lined up along the sideline of the football field where Syracuse plays its home games. There was no batting practice but lots of pitching practice, some infield and base-running drills, and a lot of interaction with the fans.
“It was great,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “We had a great time out there. I felt like the fans were really into it and guys were throwing balls out into the stands. It was definitely a different feeling than I’ve ever been a part of. I started to get a little bit of that football mentality back, so I had to tone that down a little bit.”
When he wasn’t signing autographs, ace right-hander Noah Syndergaard was throwing off a constructed mound. Syndergaard, who initially complained about having to make the trip north, made a lasting impression when he ran around the field waving a big Syracuse flag.
“Noah knows we’re always here for the fans’ sake, and that’s one thing about Noah — he’s always going to be there for the fans,” Callaway said. “He got a lot of conditioning in running that flag around today.”
Degrom did not make the trip. He was in New York getting a physical for his new five-year deal.
Opening day for the Syracuse Mets is April 4.
“We have talked all season about a new attitude New York City should have, and now we can share that attitude in Syracuse,” Van Wagenen said. “We will be champions. We’re going to win and we’re going to win in the future.”