New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom is seen during the fourth inning of a spring training game against the Miami Marlins, in Jupiter, Fla., on March 12, 2019.DAVID SANTIAGO/The Associated Press
NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets have agreed to a $137.5 million, five-year contract, a deal that guarantees an additional $120.5 million over four seasons.
New York and deGrom had agreed in January to a $17 million, one-year deal, and he was on track to be eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.
His new deal calls for a $10 million signing bonus, half to be paid in January 2020 and the rest in January 2021. He gets a $7 million salary this season, $23 million in 2020, $33.5 million each in 2021 and 2022 and $30.5 million in 2023. The Mets have a $32.5 million option for 2024.
DeGrom has the right to opt out of the deal after the 2022 season and become a free agent. He also gets the ability to block being traded.
A right-hander who turns 31 in June, deGrom had a 1.70 ERA last year yet went 10-9 on a Mets team that finished 77-85. He allowed three runs or fewer in 29 consecutive starts to close the season, but the Mets were 11-18 in those games.
DeGrom is 55-41 with a 2.67 ERA in five big league seasons. Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen represented the two-time All-Star as co-head of CAA Baseball before the team hired him last year.
“Jacob has proven that he is one of the best pitchers in baseball and we are excited that he is part of the short-term and long-term future of this organization,” Van Wagenen said in statement.
New York reached the deal with deGrom following an agreement between Chris Sale and Boston announced Saturday that adds $145 million from 2020-24 and raised the total for the left-hander to $160 million over six years. Sale, who turns 30 this weekend, has been an All-Star the last seven years and would have been eligible for free agency after this season.