Jacob DeGrom Signs $185 Million Deal With Texas Rangers

Jacob deGrom with the Mets in 2018
Jacob deGrom with the Mets in 2018. Photo by Chris Szagola/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9793835e)

Jacob deGrom has agreed to a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers. By luring the MLB’s top pitcher to Dallas, the Rangers are hoping to strengthen their struggling pitching lineup.

After spending all nine of his previous MLB seasons with the New York Mets, deGrom decided to opt out of the final two years of his contract. Despite missing out on the first four months of the season with a stress reaction in his shoulder, the 34-year-old remained a top trade target of the Rangers.

DeGrom’s contract is the latest in what has been a busy few months for the Rangers on the trade front. Less than a year ago, the Rangers closed a 10-year, $325 million contract with shortstop Corey Seager while signing second baseman Marcus Semien on a seven-year deal worth $175 million.

While finishing last season with a 5-4 record and 3.08 ERA in 11 starts, deGrom proved to be a reliable pitcher for the Mets, racking up 102 strikeouts against just eight walks, with nine home runs allowed.