MLB Rumors: Former Met Says deGrom Wants To "Correct" Contract Mistake

October 28, 2022
As he gets set to pitch the biggest game of his life in Game 2 of the World Series, Zack Wheeler took a bit of time out during his preps to talk about his most famous ex-New York Mets teammate Jacob deGrom. And Wheeler, now an All-Star starter in his own right, says that deGrom really is happy in New York. But...
"I just think he wants to get compensated for what he’s done," Wheeler told Mike Puma of the New York Post. He goes on to elaborate, explaining that he feels that deGrom just wants to get paid what he's worth. 

deGrom signed a five-year, $137.5M contract with the Mets in March of 2019, and he's still owed $30.5M next season if he doesn’t opt out. But with his teammate Max Scherzer setting the new bar last year with his 3-year, $130M deal with the Mets (for a record $43M annually), Wheeler thinks deGrom feels that his current deal isn't quite up to par. And Wheeler seems to agree. 

“I don’t think it was the right compensation at the time,” Wheeler said. “I can’t speak for him, it’s a lot of money and it’s life-changing money and I think anybody would have taken that at the time. But at the same time people have seen what he’s done and maybe you can correct it along the way, and this is his chance to correct it.”

Wheeler agreed that it would be tough for the Mets to replace deGrom if they let him walk. "He has been there forever. It would leave a hole in the clubhouse and definitely on the mound.”

deGrom just completed his 9th season with the Mets, two of them Cy Young Award-winning seasons. He came back this season from a year's worth of arm troubles to post a 3.08 ERA with a ridiculous 0.74 WHIP, and an equally insane 102:8 K/BB ratio and 14.3 K/9.

The 34-year-old could definitely be in line for "Scherzer money", and if he gets it, according to Wheeler, he'll have righted a wrong. 

Photo: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports



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