Jacob deGrom: Rangers made 'me feel like they really wanted me here'

Ace Jacob deGrom may have taken a shot or two at the New York Mets while explaining why he signed with the Texas Rangers last week. 

"We were in contact with the Mets," deGrom said during his introductory Texas press conference on Thursday afternoon, per the official MLB website. "The Rangers did a great job of constant communication and making me feel like they really wanted me here, and the vision was the same: Build something great and win year in and year out." 

The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner opted out of his contract following the World Series. He was heavily linked with a return to the Mets even hours before it was reported that he and the Rangers agreed to a five-year, $185 million contract that includes a sixth-year option which could boost the deal's worth to $222 million. 

Insider Joel Sherman of the New York Post later reported the Mets' offer to deGrom was for three years and "in the $120 million range," and SNY's Andy Martino noted that sources told him "deGrom never gave the Mets the chance to make a last, best offer." 

"That's the goal, winning a World Series," deGrom added about his free-agency decision. "These guys all had that same vision, and it lined up with what I wanted to do. They showed a ton of interest right from the start, and the feelings were mutual. I'm just very happy to be here."

Mets outfielder Mark Canha insisted last month and earlier this week that "Jake told me he wanted to stay" in Queens. Mets general manager Billy Eppler told reporters that deGrom "made a decision that made sense for him and his family" and that the Amazins "talked a number of times" with the right-hander during negotiations. Eppler declined to get into specifics about contract discussions at that time. 

The Mets reacted quickly to deGrom's departure by coming to terms with three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander on a two-year, $86.66 million deal that includes a vesting third-year option.