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Jacob deGrom left New York City after 12 years of playing in the Big Apple, but he couldn’t have gone south without one last graceful gesture: thanking the New York Mets and their fans by taking out a page ad. Complete in Post.
The 34-year-old pitcher pitched nine MLB seasons at Citi Field, where he won 2014 Rookie of the Year and two Cy Young Awards. He, too, was named an All-Star four times and made First-Team All-MLB in 2019 and 2020, among a list of other individual accomplishments.
The right-hander’s time in New York was said to come to an end at the beginning of the month following the announcement that he had signed a five-year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers.
Jacob deGrom wrote an emotional letter to Mets fans and the city in today’s New York Post.
DeGrom, 34, left the Mets to join the Texas Rangers on a five-year, $185 million contract.
“I can still remember the exact moment I first stood on the mound at Citi Field after being called out in 2014,” deGrom’s letter read in Thursday’s print editions of The New York Post. “It was a moment filled with so many wonderful emotions that will always be etched in my mind.
“My family and I will be forever grateful to the Mets for these incredible past 12 years, and most importantly, for believing in me. For giving me the opportunity to play the game I love at the highest level for all these years. There are so many people I want to thank and acknowledge:
‘Steve Cohen, Billy Eppler, the entire front office, managers, coaches, players, both past and present, bullpen catchers, coaches, clubhouse staff, security staff, family room workers, kitchen staff , public relations staff, photographers, stadium staff, New York City Police officers, television personalities and journalists. Each and every one of you played such a vital role in our lives in New York. Beyond a working relationship, many of you became true lifelong friends to Stacey and me.
Throughout his 12 seasons at Citi Field, DeGrom won Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards.
‘To the New York Mets fans: your passion, devotion and unwavering support for me, from the very beginning, has been incredible. It is humbling and appreciated beyond words. Thank you for your dedication and for the kindness with which you embraced me and my family. It has been a true honor to wear the Mets uniform all these years. The New York Mets, the fans and the city will always have a very special place in our hearts.’
The full page letter was signed ‘Jacob deGrom and Family’. It featured the pitcher’s number (48) with an image of Mets fans cheering for his team in the background.
DeGrom is 82-57 with 1,607 strikeouts in 1,326 career innings. He gets $30 million next year, $40 million in 2024 and 2025, $38 million in 2026 and $37 million in 2027. The deal includes a conditional option for 2028 with no money guaranteed.
World Series champion Justin Verlander has signed a two-year deal to replace DeGrom in New York.
His departure from the Mets will pave the way for the arrival of justin verlander, who won the World Series with the Houston Astros last season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner was introduced at a news conference last week at Citi Field.
“He’s an icon here in this stadium and for this organization,” Verlander said of DeGrom, adding that he didn’t think it would have been fair to sign with the Mets before learning of his fellow pitcher’s next move.
Mets general manager Billy Eppler said deGrom’s contract was much longer than the Mets front office was comfortable with and that he “fit into our timeline with Justin.”
Following the Verlander acquisition, the Mets, seeking their first World Series title since 1986, increased their luxury tax payroll to about $360 million for next year, on track for a record tax of about $85 million.
Verlander is guaranteed an $86.7 million, two-year contract with New York. He will be paid $43,333,333 in each of the next two seasons.