Mets' deGrom open to signing long-term deal

One week after New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson indicated the club was willing to engage in long-term contract talks with its stable of talented young pitchers, right-hander Jacob deGrom admitted the feeling is mutual.

The 28-year-old deGrom, who remains under club control through 2020, said he would consider negotiating a long-term deal before he's eligible for arbitration, which could arrive as early as next winter, in an interview Wednesday with Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.

"I'm a little bit older so I might be more willing to do something like that," deGrom said. "You just have to look at what is fair so both sides get a decent deal. It's something I'd have to look into and make sure I agree with it."

While negotiations have yet to take place, according to The Post, both deGrom and the Mets have motivation to at least begin talks. Matt Harvey is eligible to become a free agent after the 2018 season, Zack Wheeler can hit the market the following year, and by that time, Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz won't be far behind, either.

For deGrom, the 2014 Rookie of the Year and team leader in ERA and strikeouts among starters last season, the financial gain might be too much to pass up. Because of his late-career breakout and relatively older age, deGrom, who pitched on a salary of $556,875 last year, remains one of the best bargains in baseball.

"I haven't thought that much about (a deal)," deGrom said. "I have to talk to my agents and stuff and look at the numbers and decide what was favorable."