Amazin’s may still discuss new deGrom pact

ORLANDO, Fla. — Jacob deGrom remains a long-term priority for the Mets, but discussions are yet to commence on a contract that would buy out the ace right-hander’s remaining arbitration years.

A club source indicated Tuesday that general manager Sandy Alderson may still engage deGrom’s camp in negotiations at some point this winter. DeGrom is under club control through 2020, making it likely the Mets would seek a five-year deal that would buy out his three remaining arbitration years. The Mets would then receive a teamfriendly contract for two added years of control. The 29-year-old deGrom went 15-10 with a 3.53 ERA as the only Mets starting pitcher to remain healthy for all of last season while pitching a career-best 201 ¹/3 innings.

Mets officials say deGrom’s track record makes him an obvious candidate for a contract extension. Previously, the Mets were hesitant to give their starting pitchers longterm deals because there was a feeling if they extended one pitcher there might be resentment from other members of the rotation. But Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz have spent significant time sidelined by health issues in recent seasons and Noah Syndergaard is under club control for another four seasons, putting a potential contract extension on the back burner.

Manager Mickey Callaway says he is onboard with the team’s plan to keep most starting pitchers from working through the lineup a third time, but he also wants to keep an open mind.

“There are so many factors that will come into play you just can’t simply say that you are going to leave guys in until a certain point or take them out in a certain point in a game,” Callaway said in a text message. “We will lean on the numbers heavily going in, look at the matchups that are taking place in the game ... we will maximize everyone’s ability on the roster the best we can.”

The Mets aren’t counting on David Wright for the start of spring training. The team captain, who hasn’t appeared in a major league game since May 2016, is coming off September surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. He later had back surgery.