Friday marked the end of an era for the New York Mets, when longtime ace and two-time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom signed a five-year contract with the Texas Rangers.
deGrom, who turns 35 next season, reached free agency after a nine-year stint with the Amazin's that included a Rookie of the Year nod in 2014, four All-Star appearances, a trip to the World Series in 2015, and the two Cys.
So, it's not a stretch to say deGrom claimed his place as the second-best starter in franchise history, after only the immortal Tom Seaver.
Though deGrom's availability in recent seasons was drastically limited due to injury, he was still extremely effective when healthy.
His foray into free agency put the Mets in a difficult position, knowing he was likely seeking a massive contract even though all indications suggested that to do so would be paying in part for past performance.
For Mets fans, deGrom's departure is obviously an emotional occasion.
His transformation from relatively unheralded prospect out of tiny Stetson University into one of the game's most dominant pitchers delighted the Citi Field faithful for the better part of a decade.
On social media, the news of deGrom inking a lucrative deal that far exceeded the prognostications of most experts was met with a wide range of responses from the fans and journalists who follow the team closely.
The Mets went 65-37 until deGrom returned on August 2nd.
— offseason olive (@Jolly_Olive) December 3, 2022
They can win without him. But it won't feel the same
deGrom didn’t even allow Steve Cohen to make him a final offer. It’s not that Cohen didn’t want to spend the money, it’s that deGrom didn’t want to be here anymore.
— Lauren (@CalmYourMitts) December 3, 2022
Jacob deGrom had a chance to be this era's Tom Seaver and a rare player to spend his entire career with one team.
— Stephen Josiah (@StephenJosiah13) December 3, 2022
Many will congratulate him on a massive deal but I can't help but think Cohen would have matched it.
I will always cherish the memories. But what the hell, Jake.
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