5 toughest decisions the Mets have to make this offseason

Aug 13, 2022; New York City, New York, USA;  New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) at
Aug 13, 2022; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) at / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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1) NY Mets toughest decisions they will need to make in the next 6 months: The future of Jacob deGrom

Jacob deGrom is my favorite current player. He's been the face of the franchise for years and is the best pitcher in baseball.

With the richest owner in baseball in charge, shouldn't it be a no-brainer to keep deGrom? Unfortunately, this will undoubtedly be the hardest decision the Mets make this offseason.

deGrom has an opt-out in his contract which he has said numerous times he plans to exercise. This means that the 34-year-old will enter unrestricted free agency this offseason. With 29 other teams being in the running for the Mets ace, the price tag will be massive.

deGrom missed 13 months with injury and returned in August. Since his return, he's been just as good as he was before the injuries started. He has proven he is still the best pitcher in the game and deserves to be paid like it.

The Mets already gave Max Scherzer a massive deal last offseason, will they do it again? deGrom is already 34 and very injury prone. There's always a small thought in the back of my head that deGrom's next 100 mph fastball will be the last one he throws this season.

deGrom's next contract will likely not age very well. He's on the wrong side of 30 and will eventually lose velocity. With the injuries to take into account as well, it's hard to rely on him to make his 32 starts and be the Jacob deGrom we all know and love.

Steve Cohen has a ton of money but he didn't make it by making decisions with his heart. deGrom is a Mets icon and should be a Met for life. But the contract he will get might be too much for it to make sense from a business perspective.

It's important to note that Cohen did say he would do "whatever it takes" to keep deGrom. My hope is deGrom wants to stay and Cohen just gives him what he wants. Either way, it is going to be an extremely difficult decision and I'm glad I don't have to make it.

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