Jacob deGrom was the Texas Rangers’ star signing of the offseason.
The organization focused on offense last year, but this time, they made it a priority to improve the rotation.
What a better way to do that than bringing in the best pitcher in baseball?
It comes as no surprise, therefore, that deGrom has been penciled in by the Rangers as their Opening Day starter.
for now we’ve been waiting for. #StraightUpTX pic.twitter.com/SiRJwj80x4
—Texas Rangers (@Rangers) March 24, 2023
A scapula issue took most of his last season, and the year before, he suffered other physical issues in his arm and oblique.
That’s the problem with deGrom: he has become notoriously injury-prone these days.
There is no question, however, that when he is healthy, he has no peers.
Last year, he wasn’t at his best, yet he still posted an incredible 3.08 ERA with a 2.13 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) in 64.1 frames.
Now healthy after a minor health scare in the spring, deGrom is set to start his tenure as a Texas Ranger.
The team gave him $185 million reasons to give his best every time he gets on the mound, spread over five seasons.
He might be getting up there in age (he will turn 35 in the summer) but he remains one of MLB true aces.
The Rangers certainly understand the risks of giving deGrom a five-year deal to pay him until he is 39.
On a per-inning basis, however, no hurler in the league is more dominant.
The Rangers finished 68-94 last season and recently changed their front office and manager.
They want results and they want them fast, so deGrom fits in nicely with where they currently are as a franchise.
He also wants to win now, for the first time in his career.
The Rangers aren’t expected to be instant contenders in 2023, but could reach that status in a year or two.
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