Insider: Surprising AL East team has spoken with Jacob deGrom's camp

A surprise American League club may be planning a move for ace pitcher Jacob deGrom. 

SNY's Andy Martino reported on Tuesday that the Tampa Bay Rays have spoken with deGrom’s camp since the 34-year-old opted out of his contract earlier this month. Martino made sure to add, though, that "there is virtually zero chance that the Rays will be the high bidder on deGrom" considering he's also been linked in reports with a return to the New York Mets and also with the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves. 

"One league source compared this situation to the Rays' pursuit last winter of free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman, when they emphasized to Freeman the quality of life and the lack of state income tax in Florida," Martino explained. Freeman ultimately signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers this past March. 

For a piece published on Oct. 19, Tim Britton of The Athletic noted that he'd "heard from a source familiar with deGrom that he’s interested in exploring places closer to Florida (geographically and perhaps culturally, out of the New York spotlight)." That, however, was before The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Monday the Rangers aren't overly confident they will acquire the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner. Rosenthal previously said it's "highly unlikely" the Braves will win any deGrom sweepstakes. 

Rosenthal pointed out Monday that a "mystery team" could prevent the Mets from re-signing deGrom, especially if the veteran wants to move away from the Big Apple. While Rosenthal specifically had the Dodgers in mind, perhaps the Rays could give the DeLand, Florida, native a homecoming he couldn't receive from any California or New York team.