Agent: deGrom wants long-term deal or Mets should consider trade
Moments after New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom was passed over in favor of Max Scherzer when Tuesday's All-Star Game starters were named, his agent revealed what the pitcher wants for his future.
The 30-year-old is interested in a long-term deal with the Mets, and if they can't give him that New York should consider a trade.
"We have discussed Jacob's future with the Mets at length," CAA's Brodie van Wagenen told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. "Jacob has expressed interest in exploring a long-term partnership that would keep him in a Mets uniform for years to come.
"If the Mets don't share the same interest, we believe their best course of action is to seriously consider trade opportunities now. The inertia of the current situation could complicate Jacob's relationship with the club and creates an atmosphere of indecision," the agent added.
Van Wagenen later clarified he's not demanding a trade. He's simply expressing interest in an extension for his client.
"It is not a demand for a trade," van Wagenen told the New York Post's Joel Sherman. "It is simply expressing Jacob's interest to stay with the club long term and if he is not part of the future he understands that the club is better positioned to trade him."
deGrom put together an incredible first half for the Mets, despite receiving limited run support, and has been mentioned as a trade candidate for the last-place squad.
deGrom in 2018
| GS | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 123.1 | 5-4 | 1.68 | 0.97 | 149 |
The ace has made it clear he's "tired of losing." He could fit in well with the Yankees, who have been linked to the two-time All-Star in trade rumors. But deGrom would love to sign a long-term extension with the Mets instead.
"We've been open to discussing long-term deals with the Mets," deGrom told MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "There's been no numbers discussed, and I've enjoyed my time here. ... I would love it to be here with the Mets. We'll just have to see what happens.
"I would love to play here for my whole career. I think it's just kind of deciding what we see as the future. It's something that's in the Mets' control, and kind of out of mine." he added.
The Mets have set an "impossibly high" asking price for deGrom, as well as fellow pitcher Noah Syndergaard. deGrom, who is under team control until 2020, should be an attractive trade piece if the Mets put him on the block, even with their high demands.
A deGrom trade, however, doesn't appear like it would sit well with his Mets teammates, who already expressed discontent with the idea of him playing elsewhere.