Mets owner: Not the right time to renegotiate deGrom's deal

Jacob deGrom is the best pitcher in the the world right now, but he's dealt with injuries throughout the season. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mets owner Steve Cohen: It's not the 'right moment' to renegotiate Jacob deGrom's contract

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/20/21

Mets ace Jacob deGrom is the best pitcher in the world, and team owner Steve Cohen would presumably like the 33-year-old to play out his entire career in New York.

DeGrom has an opt-out clause following the 2022 season, but Cohen said Saturday that he doesn't believe now is the right moment to renegotiate his contract.

Steve Cohen on renegotiating deGrom's contract, which has an opt-out after 2022:

"I don't think it's the right moment. We're focused on this year. Obviously, it's something we're thinking about. Listen, we love Jacob. ... I don't think I could pitch to a 0.54 ERA. He's special."
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 20, 2021

DeGrom will be paid $35.5 million next season. If he opts into the remainder of his contract, he'll be paid $32.5 million in 2023 and $32.5 million in 2024.

It makes sense for the Mets to stand pat right now, and it makes sense for deGrom not to sign an extension unless it's massive. DeGrom has plenty of leverage after Trevor Bauer received an enormous deal from the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his camp would surely tell the Mets he'd want more than Bauer.

From the Mets' perspective, it's better to wait to extend deGrom because he has left consecutive starts with injuries and is aging.

This season, deGrom is 6-2 with a 0.54 ERA, 0.51 WHIP and 111 strikeouts against in 67 innings. He's having one of the most historic seasons in Major League Baseball history and is well on his way to earning another Cy Young award.

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