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deGrom Shocks Deadline: “I Want to Stay” with Rangers
Jacob deGrom Tells Texas Rangers: "I Want to Stay Here" — What This Means for the Team
The Big News in Simple Terms
Imagine you’re on a baseball team that just won a championship. Then the next season gets tough — you start losing games. Other teams might ask, "Hey, can we borrow your best player?"
Well, that’s exactly what happened with the Texas Rangers and their star pitcher Jacob deGrom. But deGrom said "No thanks, I’m staying put."
IMPORTANT POINT
Jacob deGrom has a special contract power called a "no-trade clause." This means he gets to decide if he moves to another team — not the Rangers’ bosses.
Who Is Jacob deGrom? (ELI5 Version)
Think of deGrom like a video game character with maxed-out stats:
- Two-time Cy Young Award winner (that’s the "Best Pitcher" trophy)
- Right-handed pitcher (throws with his right hand)
- 38 years old (pretty experienced for a baseball player!)
- Signed a 5-year, $185 million deal with Texas in 2023
FUN FACT
The Cy Young Award is named after Cy Young, a pitcher from the 1800s/1900s who won 511 games — a record that will probably never be broken!
What Happened This Week?
The Timeline
- Monday was the trade deadline — the last day teams can swap players
- Rangers were struggling — lost 5 games in a row, fell to 2½ games behind the Houston Astros
- Other teams called asking about deGrom
- deGrom said "I want to be here" — he believes in the team
- Rangers made ONE trade — but NOT deGrom (they swapped minor league players)
The Trade That DID Happen
| Rangers Sent Away | Rangers Received |
|---|---|
| Josh Smith (utility player) | Adam Macko (rookie left-handed pitcher) |
| Josh Stephan (minor league pitcher) |
Both Smith and Macko were playing in Triple-A (one step below the big leagues).
Why Does deGrom Want to Stay?
His Own Words
"I want to be here. I believe in this group… I signed here to help this team win a World Series. In ’23, the team was able to do that, and I want to be a part of that in the future."
The Backstory
| Season | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Rangers WON the World Series! (deGrom’s first year) |
| 2024 | deGrom had elbow surgery, missed almost the whole year |
| 2025 | Back healthy, making starts again |
deGrom’s Numbers: By the Numbers
This Season (2025)
- Record: 7 wins, 7 losses
- ERA: 3.96 (Earned Run Average — lower is better!)
- Starts: 21 games
Last Season (2024)
- Record: 12 wins, 8 losses
- ERA: 2.97 (really good!)
- Starts: 30 games
MILESTONE ALERT
This is the first time since 2018-2019 (when he won back-to-back Cy Youngs with the New York Mets) that deGrom has made 20+ starts two years in a row. Staying healthy = big deal!
The Money Stuff (Simplified)
deGrom’s contract has a puzzle piece for 2028:
- Base: $20 million
- Could go up to: $30 million OR $37 million
- Depends on: How well he pitches + how healthy he stays
Think of it like a video game achievement unlock — better performance = bigger reward!
What This Means for the Rangers
The Good News
- Leader stays: deGrom is a veteran voice in the clubhouse
- Fan favorite: Players wanting to stay = good vibes
- Playoff push: Still time to catch the Astros
The Challenge
- 5-game losing streak = need to turn it around FAST
- Division race: Astros are 2½ games ahead
- Pressure: Every game matters now
Summary
| Key Takeaway | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| deGrom said "I’m staying" | Team keeps its ace pitcher |
| He has a no-trade clause | HE controls his destiny |
| Rangers made only minor trade | Front office believes in current roster |
| 2023 World Series champs | Proven they CAN win it all |
| deGrom healthy + 20+ starts | Huge positive after injury history |
Bottom line: The Rangers are in a slump, but their best pitcher believes in them. Now they just have to go out and win some baseball games!
FAQ — Your Questions Answered
What is a "no-trade clause" exactly?
A: It’s a contract rule that says "The player must agree before being traded." deGrom has a FULL one — meaning he can say "no" to ANY trade, to ANY team, for ANY reason.
What’s the trade deadline?
A: It’s the last day during the season when teams can trade players. After this date (usually July 31 or August 1), rosters are mostly locked for the rest of the year.
What does ERA mean?
A: Earned Run Average — how many runs a pitcher gives up per 9 innings, not counting runs from errors. Lower is better. Under 3.00 is excellent. Under 4.00 is good.
Why did deGrom have elbow surgery?
A: Pitchers put huge stress on their elbows throwing 95+ mph. Many need Tommy John surgery (ligament replacement) or other repairs. deGrom’s kept him out almost all of 2024.
Can the Rangers still make the playoffs?
A: Yes! Being 2½ games back with ~2 months left is very catchable. But they need to stop losing and start winning — like, yesterday.
Article based on ESPN reporting from Arlington, Texas. Stats and standings current as of trade deadline Monday.
