Jacob deGrom has been the only reason for the average fan to continue watching the New York Mets this season. Ever since the Mets started falling in the division, trade talks have surrounded the Mets ace. Fans are split on whether they should deal deGrom to build for their future, but the best thing the Mets can do is keep him.
How Can They Keep Him?
deGrom still has two and a half more years until he hits free agency at age 33. He has stated during the All-Star break that he wishes to play the rest of his career as a Met and those are wishes that need to come true. The Mets should look to sign him through his age 34 or 35 season so they get all of his best years and do not risk losing a key member to their rotation for nothing.
The Mets are battling the Marlins for last place in the NL East, but these teams are in two totally different places. They are a piece or two away from being a World Series contender. The top four of deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz, Zack Wheeler along with a decent fifth starter is a rotation to build upon. The best part about the top four is the earliest one hits free agency in 2020. They have plenty of years of team control/arbitration years and the Mets need to take advantage of it before they hit free agency and make more than the Mets can pay.
Make Smarter Free Agent Signings
Trading deGrom says the organization has no faith in winning next season and maybe the season after. Instead of going after B and C-level free agents like they did last offseason, they need to go after the top guys on the market. Injuries aside, a healthy Jay Bruce and Yoenis Cespedes to go along with Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo is nice, but the team needs more to be a contender. A big bat the likes of Manny Machado or Bryce Harper make this a very dangerous lineup the Mets can build on. Throw in the wild cards of a potential Asdrubal Cabrera return and Amed Rosario growth can give the Mets a solid lineup.
Most importantly if the Mets want to win, they must improve the bullpen before anything else. Whether or not Jeurys Familia re-signs, the Mets bullpen needs a total revamp. The remaining pieces of Robert Gsellman, Seth Lugo and hopefully a better Anthony Swarzak are a good start but they need more in today’s version of baseball. Just like with their offense, the Mets need to attempt to sign people the likes of Craig Kimbrel or Andrew Miller. They can not over pay mid-level free agents and hope they play to the level of their contract.
Jacob deGrom is elite and even though he may not be this dominant again he will keep himself in the Cy Young conversation for the next couple of years. If the Mets can take advantage of the good starting pitching they have, the potential for the New York Mets to win a World Series is extremely high.