Mets' Jacob deGrom may have interesting suitor if he opts out of deal: report

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New York Mets star Jacob deGrom’s name was thrown into the rumor mill on Saturday with possible links to a National League East rival.

The Mets pitcher signed a five-year, $137.5 million deal in 2019 and has proven to be one of the top pitchers in baseball for the last few years. But after three straight seasons of 30 or more starts from 2017 to 2019, he has only started 17 games between the pandemic-effected 2020 season and 2021. He has not pitched in 2022 because of injury. He hasn’t pitched in almost a year.

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Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets looks on from the dugout during the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field on May 28, 2022 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Phillies 8-2. (Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

DeGrom’s contract runs through the 2024 season but he could opt out after the 2022 season and the team could decline his option for 2024.

On Saturday, ESPN reported deGrom could be heading somewhere else in 2023 should he opt out. 

METS ACES INCHING CLOSER TO RETURN FROM INJURY

New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom throws during a spring training workout at Clover Park, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on March 14, 2022.  (Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

The "perception in some corners of the industry" is that the Atlanta Braves would be the favorites to land him if he leaves the Mets.

DeGrom said in March he plans to exercise his opt-out option but maintained it would be "really cool" to spend his entire career with the Mets.

"That's the business side of baseball," he said at the time. "As a player, you build in opt-outs -- that's the