Report: 'Far from certain' Jacob deGrom will stay with Mets past 2022 season

For a piece published Wednesday, SNY's Andy Martino explained that "it is far from certain that deGrom will remain in New York after this season, because both sides have valid reasons to consider ending the partnership." 

For starters, the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner hasn't thrown a pitch in a meaningful MLB game since July 7, 2021. Lingering elbow issues kept deGrom sidelined through the second half of last season, and he's been a spectator since the closing days of spring training because of a stress reaction in the scapula of his pitching shoulder. It's hoped that deGrom will successfully complete an adequate number of minor-league rehab assignments to make his campaign debut in the second half of July. 

Even if deGrom returns to the rotation and flashes dominance, Martino notes that the 34-year-old "does not seem to enjoy the extra attention that comes with" calling New York home. Martino added: 

"It has also been clear to deGrom’s friends in the clubhouse that he was less than thrilled to be underpaid so soon after signing a five-year, $137.5 million contract before the 2019 season. Later that same year, the Yankees gave Gerrit Cole a nine-year, $324 million deal. Last winter, Max Scherzer shattered Cole’s record for average annual value with a three-year, $130 million pact with the Mets. Between those two events, deGrom fired the agents who negotiated his Mets deal."

At the moment, the most important thing for all involved is that deGrom reclaims his best form as soon as possible and remains healthy through at least early October. The first-place Mets began Wednesday with just a two-and-a-half-game lead over the second-place Braves in the NL East standings.