Jacob deGrom was one of the few bright spots to an overall disappointing 2017 Mets season. He now wants to build off that for a successful 2018 campaign.
After logging over 200 innings and recording 15 wins, the right-hander has his eyes set on the prize: capturing the Cy Young Award, according to John Harper of the New York Daily News.
“That’s the main goal,” he said. “You set the bar high and go after it. That’s what I’m striving for.”
Harper adds that deGrom is looking forward to what new Mets skipper Mickey Callaway will bring to the table and is convinced the team still has the pieces to return to the postseason.
“I think we all feel good about getting a fresh start,” deGrom said. “I enjoyed my time playing for Terry, but I’m excited to see what somebody else brings to the table.
“I’ve talked to Mickey a few times. From talking to him, I think it’s going to be a popular change.”
In order for the Mets to compete, however, they will need their pitching staff to stay on the field and get back to the unit they were during their World Series run in 2015.
“I think we can get back to where we were as a staff,” deGrom said.
However, that will require Noah Syndergaard complementing him at the top of the rotation, Matt Harvey having a strong walk year, Steven Matz pitching a full season and one of Zack Wheeler, Seth Lugo or Robert Gsellman rising to the occasion to capture the No. 5 spot.
DeGrom finished eighth in the 2017 Cy Young voting, mostly due to several rough outings that inflated his ERA to 3.53 on the year. He chalks that up to relying too much on his fastball when he was frustrated and trying to overthrow.
“I always say that Bartolo (Colon) was good to watch because you’d never know how he was pitching, one way or the other,” deGrom said. “Last year I should have done a better job instead of taking a second to gather my thoughts vs. being frustrated and trying to throw the ball by everybody.”
At the end of the day, it’s great to hear deGrom wants to improve off a great season. His calm, cool and collected demeanor is the perfect anchor and foundation for a staff that will need to rebound.
Will the Mets extend their ace?
On Friday, the Mets avoided arbitration with deGrom, who will make $7.4 million next season, a boost from the $4.05 million he earned in 2017.
The 29-year-old got less than what was projected. Is it a sign that maybe a deal is in the works? For the third offseason in a row there’s been chatter about a multi-year deal for deGrom, is this the year they actually get a deal done?
“A club source indicated that general manager Sandy Alderson may still engage deGrom’s camp in negotiations at some point this winter,” Mike Puma of the New York Post wrote back in November. “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 team-friendly contract for two added years of control. ”
This past season, deGrom proved he can be a durable and valuable asset to the Mets. If anyone gets an extension, it should be him as the rest of the rotation have each had to fight off their own demons.
