Yankees Looking Into Jacob DeGrom

The New York Yankees have checked in with New York Mets free agent Jacob deGrom, according to SNY’s Andy Martino.

The market for deGrom continues to evolve as now the Mets, Yankees, Atlanta Braves, and Texas Rangers have officially checked in with the superstar.

Martino says the Yankees requested medical information on deGrom but it does not mean the Yankees have decided to pursue the pitcher.

Martino additionally states a fifth team requested medicals but they are unlikely to pursue him.

The deGrom market is tight with few teams able to financially afford a potential record-setting asking price. The Yankees main priority remains signing Aaron Judge and with $36 million committed to Gerrit Cole for at least the next two seasons it might limit how high they want to go.

The Mets remain the favorite to land deGrom. Last Monday, Ken Rosenthal reported that it was “highly unlikely” the Braves sign deGrom. Rosenthal also noted that the Rangers might not be able to meet the asking price of the big three pitchers on the market (deGrom, Justin Verlander, Carlos Rodon) after trading for Jake Odorizzi and Martin Perez taking the qualifying offer.

If the Mets do not land deGrom, they are considering pivoting to Verlander as an alternative. Verlander and the Mets met via Zoom last week.

The Mets also met with Japanese star Kodai Senga who is transitioning to MLB after years of success in Japan’s NPB. The meeting between the teams was said to go “well.”

Martino added that multiple sources believe the players in the top tier o the pinching market will likely sign between Thanksgiving and the winter meetings.