Jacob DeGrom Plans To Opt Out After 2022

With spring training now officially underway, Mets ace Jacob deGrom held a press conference on Monday to discuss his overall health heading into camp, having Max Scherzer as a teammate, and his future.

Here are a few things we learned from deGrom’s media availability, starting with his intentions after the conclusion of the 2022 MLB season.

DeGrom Plans To Opt-Out

Arguably the biggest nugget to come out from today was the fact that Jacob deGrom confirmed his plans to opt out of his contract after the 2022 season. DeGrom’s current deal will pay him $35.5 million this season with an opt-out next year but, if he decided not to, he would be paid $32.5 million in 2023 with a club option for $32.5 million in 2024.

Given that the 33-year-old is arguably the best pitcher in baseball, with two Cy Young Awards since 2018, it is no surprise that deGrom would want to opt-out and chase a bigger deal more befitting of his considerable talents on the mound.

But don’t panic Mets fans, because deGrom made it clear that he still sees himself as a Met and is content to handle business once this season is done, echoing the sentiments of owner Steve Cohen.

“That’s the plan,” deGrom said when asked if he plans on opting out at the end of the season. “That’s the business of baseball, and as a player, you build in opt-outs. But, for me, I don’t want that to be a distraction. I’m excited about this team and I’ve said it before, I love being a Met and I think it would be really cool being one for my entire career.

“The plan is to exercise that option (to opt-out) and be in constant contact in the offseason with Steve Cohen and the front office. It is exciting to see what ownership is doing by going and getting guys – this is going to be an exciting place to be.”

DeGrom Is Confident Health Issues Are Behind Him

We all know the story by now. DeGrom was on pace for a historic season and potentially a third Cy Young Award in 2021 after pitching to a 0.54 ERA, only to be shut down in July with an elbow injury. It was later revealed by Sandy Alderson to be a partially torn UCL, sparking fears that the Mets ace could be on collision course with another Tommy John surgery.

However, there seems to be no lasting damage with the ace seen throwing in the outfield grass shortly after reporting to camp on Sunday, and he also threw a bullpen session before his press conference Monday.

And, predictably, deGrom’s health heading into 2022 was the main point of conversation with the media earlier, something the 33-year-old addressed at length.

“I feel really good. I’ve been throwing prior to coming down here, preparing for being told when to show up, and I’ve treated it like a normal offseason,” deGrom said.

“I threw 30 (pitches) off the mound, and I think the plan is to go live this week and into games. … I’ve prepared the same way and everything felt good. … The goal is to go out there and make as many starts as I can,” noting he’s confident he can throw 30-plus starts.”

He said his UCL looks “completely fine,” according to doctors, and that “today was just another good step in the right direction.”

He’s “Excited” About Scherzer, Mets’ Offseason

This offseason was seen as a crucial one for Steve Cohen and new general manager Billy Eppler, and they’ve largely delivered thus far.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was signed to a three-year, $130 million contract prior to the lockout, while the Mets celebrated the return of baseball by trading for Oakland Athletics ace Chris Bassitt over the weekend.

The additions of Scherzer and Bassitt now give the Mets a lethal three-headed monster at the top of the rotation, and deGrom detailed his excitement for the season ahead.

“I’ve said before that I loved competing against him,” deGrom said of Scherzer’s arrival. “But now to learn from him, the guy is a future Hall of Famer, so to be around guys like that and to push each other and to teach each other as much as we can, I think it is going to be really exciting.”

Like every baseball fan out there, deGrom expressed his excitement at finally being able to report to spring training and get back to work.

“You look at the guys in the locker room and what ownership and the front office is doing, we’re definitely excited to get out there, so now it is time to get ready and go and see what we can do. This is going to be an exciting place to be.”

“You see all the exciting signs and the moves the team is making, and to get down here, see everybody and get things going is when it gets really exciting. To get out on the field with the guys is when it starts to feel real.”