Rangers ace Jacob deGrom thought he could stay with Mets

Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom has opened up about leaving the New York Mets in free agency this past fall. 

"It was never like, I’m outta here," deGrom told MLB insider Jon Heyman of the New York Post. "You look at places you can see yourself playing. All I had known was New York, and part of me thought I’d be back." 

Last March, deGrom confirmed he'd opt out of his contract following the 2022 season. He stayed true to his word and then ultimately signed a five-year deal reportedly worth $185 million that carries a conditional sixth-year option with the Rangers in early December. 

SNY's Andy Martino later reported that deGrom "never gave the Mets the chance to make a last, best offer" before he headed to Texas, and the 34-year-old then raised eyebrows when he declared that "the Rangers did a great job of constant communication and making me feel like they really wanted me here." 

A healthy deGrom may be the most talented overall pitcher in MLB, but numerous injury issues limited him to just 26 regular-season starts over the past two years. While some believed deGrom was simply looking for a way out of New York ahead of Christmas, he suggested that wasn't the case. 

"I have friends that will be lifelong friends in New York," deGrom explained. "We still keep in touch with a lot of people. That was all I knew for 13 years including eight seasons in the big leagues. The fans and everyone were always great to me. It was never like 100 percent I’m leaving here."

Some couldn't help but fear the worst when it was learned earlier this month that deGrom was already dealing with tightness in his left side. He seems to have gotten past that initial setback and tossed roughly 30 "closely watched pitches" during a session on Sunday. 

"It feels good," deGrom told Heyman. 

That's great for the final days of February, but the Rangers will need deGrom to feel and play better than "good" once the games begin to matter this spring.