Cologne (SID) – Spectacular change in Major League Baseball: Jacob deGrom, one of the best pitchers in the North American elite class, will play for the Texas Rangers after nine years with the New York Mets and will collect a guaranteed $ 185 million for five seasons.
The 34-year-old, a two-time winner of the Cy Young Awards for the top pitcher in the National League, had exercised his option to give up two more years of contract with the Mets. However, deGrom has recently suffered from major injury problems, having only played 38 games in the past three years.
Rangers had already invested heavily last year when they signed Corey Seager (ten years/$325 million) and Marcus Semien (seven years/$175 million) – but still missed the playoffs for the sixth straight year.
Founded in 1961 as the Washington Senators and relocated to Texas in 1972, the Arlington team is still awaiting its first World Series title. Only the Philadelphia Phillies (1980 after 77 years) and the St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles (1966 after 63 years) took longer to win their debut title. Only the Cleveland Indians (last champion in 1948) currently have a longer title lull.
