Sep 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) follows through on a pitch against the New York Mets during the third inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Some might see this as the stars aligning over Queens.
The Texas Rangers are expected to sell big this winter and are exploring the idea of trading Jacob deGrom, along with Nathan Eovaldi and Corey Seager.
Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has already made it known that he is going to be aggressive in adding to the starting rotation.
Could a reunion be in store?
The 38-year-old right-hander built a borderline Hall-of-Fame career in New York, winning a pair of NL Cy Youngs with the Mets and piecing together one of the most dominant stretches by a starter in recent memory. While he battled constant injury issues, he posted a 1.94 ERA across 94 starts (581 innings pitched) between 2018 and 2021.
But deGrom, a Florida native, never felt comfortable in New York. The city was too big, the noise was too loud, and the media was too much. It’s why he bolted to the Rangers in free agency prior to the 2023 season in the first place.
His time in Texas has not been nearly as successful. He started just nine games in his first two years with the Rangers, and then after a full year in which he started to look like himself (12-8, 2.97 ERA in 2025), he went 11-11 with a 4.20 ERA this season — his worst ever in the pros.
Yet comfort appears to take precedent over the prospect of winning. He turned down a trade to join the Atlanta Braves last summer, which would have ensured him just a third-ever postseason appearance (he was injured during the Rangers’ run to a World Series in 2023).
He has a no-trade clause worked into his contract, which has one year and $37 million remaining on it before a club option for 2028. It’s doubtful that he would waive it to come back to New York, even if Stearns and owner Steve Cohen offered him the chance to have his career come full circle, compete for an elusive title that he actually contributed to, put the finishing touches on a career that will garner Hall-of-Fame consideration and perhaps have his No. 48 retired at Citi Field. That, though, feels contingent on him coming back to Queens.
For more on the Mets and Jacob deGrom, visit AMNY.com