3 moves the Mets must make with Jacob deGrom gone

Jacob deGrom has signed a massive five-year deal with the Texas Rangers. It's a little comforting knowing that deGrom is pitching in the AL West instead of with a team like the Braves or Dodgers, but it's a brutal blow for the New York Mets and their fans nonetheless.

With deGrom gone, the Mets have to focus on building a contender for the 2023 season and beyond. Fortunately, they have the richest owner in the sport who's shown he's willing to spend the money necessary to do so. He won't have a $500 million dollar payroll (I think) but I'd be shocked if Steve Cohen doesn't have the Mets with the highest payroll again.

With that in mind, there're plenty of moves they have to make. Here are the three I believe they must make after losing Jacob deGrom.

1) The Mets must re-sign Brandon Nimmo

Losing out on Jacob deGrom stinks, but it opens up a ton of possibilities. Because of the potentially record-setting AAV on a deGrom contract with the Mets, many were suspecting they wouldn't retain both deGrom and Nimmo. Well, now that deGrom is gone, Nimmo has to be retained.

Brandon Nimmo is very unappreciated by Mets fans and it's crazy to me. He's one of the best players on the team and just had his best season. He's an on-base machine, has sneaky power, has developed into an elite center fielder defensively, and seems to be an awesome teammate and clubhouse presence.

The Mets need a center fielder. I do not want 34 year old Starling Marte who already wasn't a great center fielder defensively and dealt with various injuries this past season, to be manning center field every day.

The outfield market has one prominent name, Aaron Judge. As cool as it'd be to see him in a Mets uniform, it's not going to happen. Nimmo is the next best outfielder by a longshot.

Do you really want Kevin Kiermaier to play center field? Or Cody Bellinger? Nimmo is the only option out there, and the Mets cannot afford to lose him.