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Mets: Three Jacob deGrom predictions for the 2021 season

By Tim Boyle

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 26: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in action against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citi Field on August 26, 2020 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 26: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets in action against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citi Field on August 26, 2020 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 26: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets pitches against the Washington Nationals during game 1 of a double header at Nationals Park on September 26, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

A lot more wins than we are used to seeing

deGrom’s personal-high in wins after seven seasons is 15. It’s not a remarkably high number. Oddest of all, he won those 15 games in 2007 when his ERA was at a career-high of 3.53 and the team around him was at their worst.

Because of his great talent, deGrom was able to scratch together those 15 victories before the year was through.

In 2021, with what will potentially be the best roster around him since his 2014 debut, I expect to see more deGrom wins than ever before. I know wins aren’t supposed to matter for starting pitchers. And even if he doesn’t achieve this feat, we can still be thrilled with how the year goes.

To accomplish this, deGrom would obviously need as many starts as possible. Another drastically shortened season will steal away any chance from winning more than his 162 average of 13. This is probably a good number to reach for as it would overtake his 2018 and 2019 win totals.

Something I would love to see for deGrom at some point is a 20-win season. I think those are beginning to become even fewer in the baseball world. deGrom definitely has an opportunity to do it at some point. The Mets offense and bullpen will need to be at their best.

I don’t think we see deGrom achieve this in 2021. I would happily take being wrong if it did mean deGrom doubles his 2018 win total.

deGrom’s unselfish goal has always been to help his team win and not necessarily add a “W” to his own stat sheet. He’ll continue to do this. With any luck, his teammates help him out more than usual.