Jacob deGrom: Finishing career with Mets would be 'really cool'

“One thing I do think is really, really cool is whenever somebody spends their entire career with one team,” deGrom said Friday during his first press conference since arriving at spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla., via SNY. “You don’t see it happen a whole lot anymore. So it’s definitely something that I’ve thought about, and I guess we’ll just have to see when that time comes.”

As mentioned, deGrom has two years remaining on the five-year, $137.5 million extension he signed before the 2019 season. Not surprisingly, the issue of the opt-out was brought up Friday by reporters.

“I’ve definitely enjoyed my time here and signed long-term here. Haven’t really thought too much about the opt-out,” deGrom told reporters via Zoom. “The goal is to go out there and perform and then when that time comes, make that decision.”

If deGrom chooses against opting out after 2022 season, the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner (2018, 2019) will earn $30.5 million in 2023. The Mets hold a club option of their own for the 2024 season that would pay deGrom $32.5 million.

deGrom, who turns 33 in June, will be getting up there in years if he plays out the terms of his current deal. Whether or not he continues playing — and remains healthy — following the 2024 campaign of course remains to be seen.

Either way, deGrom is already considered one of the best pitchers in Mets history, compiling a 70-51 record across 1,169 innings along with a sensational 2.61 ERA and 1,359 strikeouts.