Jacob DeGrom Prefers To Stay With Mets If The Price Is Right: Report

The New York Mets could keep All-Star pitcher Jacob deGrom if they give him the right compensation package, according to a report.

The 34-year-old 2014 NL Rookie of the Year opted out of his deal with the Mets on Nov. 7 — a move that led to deGrom being linked to multiple teams. The list included the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers, among others.

However, deGrom's camp indicated to the Mets that the two-time All-MLB First Team member would be happy to stay if New York gives him a fair-market offer, Mike Puma of the New York Post reported, citing an unnamed insider.

According to Puma, deGrom is believed to be seeking a deal that would make him the MLB's highest-paid pitcher, ahead of the Mets' Max Scherzer. International Business Times could not independently verify this information.

The 38-year-old one-time World Series champion will be earning $43.3 million in 2023. This was after Scherzer agreed to a three-year, $130 million deal with the Mets before the 2022 MLB season started.

DeGrom is reportedly convinced that the Mets are in a good position to contend for a World Series championship.

The Mets reportedly do not appear inclined to hand deGrom a long-term deal for now. However, New York could offer the four-time All-Star a short-term deal that would include options and incentives instead.

Despite his frequent injuries, deGrom remains one of the best pitchers in baseball, especially when he is healthy. He holds career numbers of 2.52 ERA, 2.62 FIP and 10.9 K/9.

Though deGrom made only 26 starts in the past two MLB seasons due to multiple injuries, there is plenty of interest in him.

At least two MLB teams were reported to be interested in the services of the oft-injured pitcher: the Atlanta Braves and the Texas Rangers.

Signing deGrom could have dire consequences in the division. New York tied Atlanta with a 101-61 record, but the tiebreaker gave the Braves their fifth straight National League East title.

The Rangers, on the other hand, made key additions last year to improve their offense. Adding a pitcher, something that Texas needs, could further boost their drive for a World Series title.

Should the Braves or Rangers offer a lucrative long-term deal to deGrom, the Mets could be forced to give up the All-Star pitcher if the price would be too much to match, Andy Martino of SNY suggested.