In one of the first blockbuster deals of this offseason, the best pitcher in baseball is on the move. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom has signed a five-year deal with the Texas Rangers. The move was first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, and the team later confirmed the news in a press release.
BREAKING: Right-hander Jacob deGrom has signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers, sources tell ESPN. Physical is passed. Deal is done. Includes conditional sixth-year option that would take total deal to $222 million. Full no-trade clause. A massive haul.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 3, 2022
Despite deGrom’s recent history with injuries, this is a massive acquisition for Texas. It continues its aggressive rebuild, which began last year when they signed Marcus Semien and Corey Seager. With Bruce Bochy coming out of retirement to helm the team, the Rangers have their eyes on challenging the Houston Astros in the AL West.
Jacob deGrom Joins the Texas Rangers
In deGrom, the Rangers are getting the premier pitching talent in baseball. His nine-year tenure with the New York Mets has set him on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Although his last two seasons were hampered by injuries, he regularly appears almost unhittable when he’s healthy. deGrom’s career accolades include four All-Star selections and back-to-back Cy Youngs in 2018 and 2019. He was also the 2014 NL Rookie of the Year. In 2021, deGrom appeared to be well on his way to another Cy Young Award. He was giving Hall of Famer Bob Gibson a serious challenge for the single-season ERA record. deGrom had a 1.08 ERA through 15 starts, a pace which would have set a new record. Unfortunately, an elbow injury in July eventually ended his season. Still, this remarkable run showed what he is capable of at full strength.
If deGrom can stay consistently healthy, he will become a key ingredient for the Texas Rangers’ postseason prospects. The 34-year-old righty will anchor a rotation composed of other veteran starters such as Jon Gray, Jake Odorizzi and Martin Perez. If that staff can keep the Rangers in games and their lineup takes the next step forward, expect Texas to contend for a wild card spot next season. Perhaps they could even throw a scare into the defending champs.
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Players/managers mentioned:
Jacob deGrom, Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Bruce Bochy, Bob Gibson, Jon Gray, Jake Odorizzi, Martin Perez.
