Mets don’t need to worry about Yankees stealing Jacob deGrom

jacob degrom, mets
Aug 18, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With Jacob deGrom’s pending free agency on the way, the New York Mets will have loads of competition to keep their ace. There has been speculation on a ton of teams having rumored interest.

From the division rival Atlanta Braves to the crosstown rival New York Yankees, the best team in the majors in the Los Angeles Dodgers, amongst many more, it will not be easy for the Mets to keep deGrom.

However, the latest reports indicate that the crosstown rival seems unlikely to be the team that lands the star pitcher.

Why Jacob deGrom will likely not sign with the New York Yankees:

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees will probably not be deGrom’s landing spot for this reason: they believe he does not like New York. Hence, the reason why he may leave the Mets.

One league source shared that “The Yankees aren’t going after deGrom.”

Of course, this does not rule out the chances of the Yankees still attempting to pursue the dominant starting pitcher. If they happen to lose their star, Aaron Judge, the Yankees will have the money to go after deGrom and pair him up with Gerrit Cole.

Heyman shared that the Texas Rangers are one team reported to “make a play” for the two-time CY Young.

While it is still so early on in the speculation process, the early buzz seems to indicate that the Mets will do what they can to re-sign deGrom. Andy Martino of SNY recently had this to say.

“The Mets don’t know if deGrom wants to return. … The Mets will pursue deGrom, but they don’t yet know how aggressively, or what deGrom’s contract demands will be, or how much outside interest in him there will be at Max Scherzer-like money.”

Safe to say, it will be a drama-filled situation surrounding deGrom’s next move until something becomes official. While the Yankees may not have as much of a chance as originally anticipated, it will probably still be a challenge for the Mets to keep deGrom.