Why you shouldn't assume a Jacob deGrom - Mets reunion next year

In the wake of Buster Olney's recent, highly credible report linking Jacob deGrom to the Atlanta Braves, it feels time to discuss what has been a given around the Mets all year: It is far from certain that deGrom will remain in New York after this season, because both sides have valid reasons to consider ending the partnership.

Some of the immediate fan reaction to Olney’s tweet -- “There is a perception in some corners of the industry that if Jacob deGrom follows through with what he said in the spring and opts out of his Mets' contract, the Braves will be the favorites to land him” -- was along the lines of “Uncle Steve would never let that happen.”

But that’s a misreading of your Uncle Steve, who we prefer to call Steve Cohen, the Mets’ deep-pocketed owner.

If deGrom opts out and Cohen makes him his top priority, the Mets will spare no expense to retain him. But Cohen of all people knows how to make cold, smart business decisions, and it’s not yet certain that signing an oft-injured pitcher entering his age-35 season will be smart.

As for deGrom, it’s no sure thing that the Mets will be his best option. Some league executives speculate that if deGrom returns for a few months (or even a few games) throwing 100 miles per hour, he could tempt another team to offer a contract above what the Mets consider rational -- like an even better version of what happened after Noah Syndergaard threw two innings last year and received a $21 million offer from the Angels.

DeGrom’s agent, Stephen Veltman, did not respond to a message on Tuesday.

The Atlanta speculation is rooted in part in the fact that Georgia is closer, both in geography and culture, to deGrom’s native Florida. While deGrom has been popular with most teammates during his time in New York -- “it might be hard for you to believe, but he’s really funny,” says one longtime teammate -- he does not seem to enjoy the extra attention that comes with playing here.

That’s fine, by the way. This column isn’t an attempt to assassinate deGrom’s character a la Dick Young and Tom Seaver. DeGrom has long been professional with me and many other reporters, and I love watching him pitch. Who wouldn’t?

But his guarded nature has made him a mystery even among many around the team, including some members of the front office who wonder at the difficulty of establishing communication and rapport with deGrom.

It has also been clear to deGrom’s friends in the clubhouse that he was less than thrilled to be underpaid so soon after signing a five-year, $137.5 million contract before the 2019 season. Later that same year, the Yankees gave Gerrit Cole a nine-year, $324 million deal. Last winter, Max Scherzer shattered Cole’s record for average annual value with a three-year, $130 million pact with the Mets. Between those two events, deGrom fired the agents who negotiated his Mets deal.

Now deGrom -- who was the best pitcher in baseball when healthy -- need only look up to the Bronx and across his own clubhouse to find pitchers paid more handsomely. That would be enough to irritate just about any worker.

Add to all that deGrom’s obvious anger last September when Mets president Sandy Alderson said that deGrom had a damaged elbow ligament.

The following day, deGrom held a brief, impromptu news conference on the field.

"I know what was said, but my ligament is perfectly fine," he said with a dismissive wave. "I’ve been throwing. So I wouldn’t be throwing if I had a compromised ligament. That’s the plan, to continue to throw and build up and see where we end up. And that’s all I’m going to say."

Perhaps deGrom will soon pitch the Mets to a deep October run and bond with the new regime in the process. Perhaps Cohen will follow that by offering a rich contract extension. With deGrom throwing his fastball in triple digits in his minor league rehab assignment and the Mets in first place, the story could yet be one of triumph.

But make no mistake: After this season, the Mets will face a major decision on whether to commit to deGrom, and deGrom will have the right to determine if he wants to stay. It’s far too early to assume how this will go.