It was sad, but not a big surprise when the Texas Rangers announced on Monday that right-hander Jacob deGrom would undergo Tommy John surgery.
DeGrom spent much of his time battling arm issues while he was the Mets ace, and it seemed likely, given his history, that he would suffer another serious setback, especially when he started this season baffling team doctors and specialists in Texas.
His injury history is one of the reasons the Mets offered deGrom only three years at roughly $125 million — a contract he refused when he became a free agent in November. While the Mets still pursued him, they were willing to gamble only so much — even with a wealthy and free-spending owner.
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And because the Mets virtually passed on the two-time Cy Young Award winner, deGrom is the Rangers’ $185 million problem. Here’s how much the Rangers are on the hook for, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY:
… they just flushed $70 million down the toilet with the Tuesday announcement that deGrom will undergo surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which could turn out to be reconstructive Tommy John surgery.
He’ll be sidelined a minimum of 12 months, but realistically deGrom won’t be pitching again for the Rangers until 2025.
This means the Rangers will have paid deGrom $30 million for his 2-0 record and 2.67 ERA, covering just six starts and 30⅓ innings this season, and $40 million next year while he recovers from surgery.
Oh, and for another kick in the stomach, the Rangers don’t have an insurance policy on him.
Buyer beware, baby.
The goal for DeGrom, who turns 35 later this month, is to return near the end of next season.
DeGrom spent his first nine big league seasons with the Mets, but was limited by injuries to 156 1/3 innings over 26 starts during his last two years in New York. He had a career-low 1.08 ERA over 92 innings in 2021 before missing the final three months of the season with right forearm tightness and a sprained elbow.
His latest injury almost surely will trigger Texas’ conditional option for 2028 and would pay deGrom $20 million, $30 million or $37 million, depending on his performance during the contract and health following the 2027 season.
The AP contributed to this report. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
Manuel Gomez may be reached at [email protected].