Jake the Snake
I had the proverbial bad feeling about this. If money would’ve solved the problem, rich uncle Steve had that exclusive window after the opt out and before free agency formally opened. He could have wowed and zowed deGrom with his millions. Once Jake decided he wanted to see other people, it almost seemed inevitable that he would find what he was looking for. So now our ex will live in Texas, with a term taking him to his 40th year and a full no trade clause.
If we’re going to feign some righteous indignation about loyalty and history and team tradition, there are some loyal fans in Cleveland, Oakland and DC who would like a word. Living by the free agent means occasionally taking a death stab from one. I will say this about that, though: building in player opt-outs into contracts is a dick move. If you're getting the benefit of the locked-in bucks even in the event of your unexpectedly bad performance, you shouldn't be able to unilaterally get out of the deal simply because of your (or the market's) unexpectedly good performance. If anything, limit the opt-out to the new suitor offer-sheeting the player, with the jilted lover getting a chance to match. Honestly, I don't know if the Mets would have, with his health and their other needs being what they are.
This team had a higher winning percentage without Jake than with in 2022. It's near certain they will have a higher winning percentage than his new team in 2023. And that no-trade probably means no Thor sequel coming out in the middle of summer blockbuster season; it should keep him out of the Braves and the Bronx, unless he really wants to hurt us.
And speaking of Dat Burro over Da Bridge: Jake's move could lead to an even more agonized departure next, as Aaron Judge has already left his terms, if not his heart, in San Francisco. I'm sure the Yankees will do everything they can to keep him in pinstripes, but now a precedent has been laid before the Judge and he may be compelled by stare atthemoneyis to follow it.
First thing I thought of, after experiencing the disGromAppointment of this morning's news, was, Are the Rangers coming to Citi Field as a road team in 2023? Indeed they are, and this time they're not playing the Sabres in road sweaters for tax purposes. These Texans will be making their visit at the end of August, so I've already got August 28th, 29th and 30th marked down on my baseball calendar. I may have to pick a game months ahead and miss the one he will actually start, if injury doesn't prevent a start at all, but at least I have enough respect for him, and him for us, to believe one thing:
Unike Noah's several shots at it in 2022, I don't see Jake chickening out of a start against the Mets.
If we’re going to feign some righteous indignation about loyalty and history and team tradition, there are some loyal fans in Cleveland, Oakland and DC who would like a word. Living by the free agent means occasionally taking a death stab from one. I will say this about that, though: building in player opt-outs into contracts is a dick move. If you're getting the benefit of the locked-in bucks even in the event of your unexpectedly bad performance, you shouldn't be able to unilaterally get out of the deal simply because of your (or the market's) unexpectedly good performance. If anything, limit the opt-out to the new suitor offer-sheeting the player, with the jilted lover getting a chance to match. Honestly, I don't know if the Mets would have, with his health and their other needs being what they are.
This team had a higher winning percentage without Jake than with in 2022. It's near certain they will have a higher winning percentage than his new team in 2023. And that no-trade probably means no Thor sequel coming out in the middle of summer blockbuster season; it should keep him out of the Braves and the Bronx, unless he really wants to hurt us.
And speaking of Dat Burro over Da Bridge: Jake's move could lead to an even more agonized departure next, as Aaron Judge has already left his terms, if not his heart, in San Francisco. I'm sure the Yankees will do everything they can to keep him in pinstripes, but now a precedent has been laid before the Judge and he may be compelled by stare atthemoneyis to follow it.
First thing I thought of, after experiencing the disGromAppointment of this morning's news, was, Are the Rangers coming to Citi Field as a road team in 2023? Indeed they are, and this time they're not playing the Sabres in road sweaters for tax purposes. These Texans will be making their visit at the end of August, so I've already got August 28th, 29th and 30th marked down on my baseball calendar. I may have to pick a game months ahead and miss the one he will actually start, if injury doesn't prevent a start at all, but at least I have enough respect for him, and him for us, to believe one thing:
Unike Noah's several shots at it in 2022, I don't see Jake chickening out of a start against the Mets.