Jacob deGrom Officially Deserves The Injury Prone Label

Jacob deGrom Officially Deserves The Injury Prone Label

I always view injuries under the same lens. They’re impossible to predict but after a while, if a player starts to become repeatably injured, it’s no longer an accident. Jacob deGrom has been placed on the 60-day IL and will undergo TJ surgery effectively ending his season. If it wasn’t clear before it sure is now. Jacob deGrom officially deserves the injury prone label.

The OG readers of this site will remember once upon a time I argued to sell high on deGrom while he was still with the Mets. I can only imagine the what if on that scenario had the Mets sold deGrom for the farm years ago. Nevertheless, I’m not sure the Mets mind losing deGrom now. He’s very good when he pitches but that’s almost never.

deGrom, 34, started six games for the Rangers this year sporting an ERA of 2.67 and a 2-0 record. The production isn’t the issue. It’s keeping the guy on the field. deGrom hasn’t made 30 starts in a season since 2019. In fact, since that 2019 season, deGrom has made 44 starts TOTAL.

Keep in mind, deGrom will pocket $30 million this year to sit at home after signing a mega contract with Texas this past offseason. deGrom is going to miss part of next season too given the recovery time of the surgery. Don’t forget baseball contracts are guaranteed and all that money just sits there counting against the luxury tax. This isn’t like hockey when a bum like Max Pacioretty goes down and you can place him money on LTIR. No, you’re just screwed.

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Maybe an LTIR system where that money doesn’t count against the tax while injured is something the general managers around the league should fight for. Right now it’s just way too damaging to sign a player to big dollars like this that can’t stay on the field. Fair or not, deGrom deserves the criticism for not being able to stay on the field.

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