Jacob deGrom signs 5yr, 185M contract with Texas Rangers (37M avg)

Gdiguy

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Jul 15, 2005
6,231
San Diego, CA
I've always thought DeGrom was one of the best pitchers I've ever seen, though the below is one of those 'don't learn too much about your favorite players and you won't be dissapointed'

Heyman says deGrom is an anti-vaxxer who wanted out of NY if possible:

"Some Mets people seemed to think somehow things were turning the corner, and maybe they were to a degree. But he seemed sullen a lot from here, and word is, deGrom’s people got early word to Texas they were interested. That shouldn’t surprise. He’s very much a DeLand, Fla., guy. Folks around the team say this came out in the pandemic when he openly talked against northern rules and masks and vaccinations, even though it meant extra precautions and greater risk to the team (he wasn’t alone there, as the Mets were one of the least vaccinated teams)."

https://nypost.com/2022/12/02/jacob-degrom-deal-shows-even-the-mistakes-are-bigger-in-texas/

I had hoped the Mets wouldn't cheap out here, but even though I think they'll be worse I can't really argue with not trying to beat this offer; there's got to be at least a 20% chance that you're getting 0 innings out of the last 3 years of this deal
 

DeadlySplitter

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Oct 20, 2015
33,249
https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-new-york-mets-jacob-degrom-1d93a7e41a918be4b2d37b9eac96c668

Texas has a conditional option for 2028 that would be triggered if from 2023-26 deGrom has Tommy John surgery on his right elbow or has any right elbow or shoulder injury that causes him to be on the injured list for any period of 130 consecutive days during any season or 186 days in a row during any service period.

The conditional option would be for $30 million if deGrom finishes among the top five in Cy Young voting during the contract or pitches at least 625 innings. The option price would increase to $37 million if he finishes among the top five three times or more or pitches at least 725 innings. If he falls short of those specifications, the conditional option price would be $20 million.

DeGrom’s conditional option would be triggered ar $37 million if the conditional team option doesn’t get met, he pitches at least 160 innings in 2027 and finishes among the top five in Cy Young voting, and an independent doctor examines him and determines he is more likely than not to be healthy for the start of the 2028 season.
 

AlNipper49

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Apr 3, 2001
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Mtigawi
It’s risky as hell but if their Vanderbilt guys are the real deal then even if he sucks on the back end of the deal it’s exactly the type of elder leadership that they need.

With that said, it’s a tremendous amount of risk.
 

VORP Speed

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Apr 23, 2010
6,633
Ground Zero
No it doesn't. People say shit like, if he leaves CA and plays for a TX team he'll save like 12 percent! That's completely wrong. They pay tax in every state in which they they play, like you said. They also spend about two months in spring training. They can still maintain their residence wherever they want. There's no way he'll cut his rate in half because he'll spend about 90 days in TX.

But the main issue is that I'm 99 percent sure that this doesn't matter to the players. They want the biggest deal, not the biggest after-tax cash flow. He's going to earn over 300m in his career. He's not making decisions based on his state apportionment.
MLB players don’t get paid for the off-season, post-season or spring training. They pay state taxes based on how many games they play in each state. So if you play for the Mets, you’re paying about 14% to NYC/NYS on half your salary. You play for TX and you pay 0% on half your salary. So you save 7%. $13m on deGrom’s contract. Not peanuts.