The New York Mets and Jacob deGrom talked about an extension earlier this offseason but were unable to come to terms and now the right-hander will make $7.4 million for 2018 after avoiding arbitration earlier this month.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported earlier this week that the discusses never got past the preliminary stages and that they weren’t currently discussion an extension.
Jacob is still open to continuing those talks as he told Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News, “I enjoy playing here. I would definitely be open to talking to them about a extension.”
The 29-year-old will become a free agent after the 2020 season and have another two years of arbitration that could see significant significant raises.
DeGrom threw a career-high 201.1 innings in 31 starts last year and plans to throw his first bullpen next week according to Ackert. He went 15-10 with a 3.53 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 1.187 WHIP and a career-high 10.7 K/9 over those 32 starts in 2017. He also finished eighth the the National League Cy Young voting.
New Mets manager Mickey Callaway and Dave Eiland came up with a new throwing program for this offseason though deGrom is sticking with his for the most part, “I told him (Callaway) for me throwing more seems to work for me. It’s nothing crazy when I first start. Just a few times a week, keeping the arm loose. He liked the plan, and said if that works for you go for it.”
