The New York Mets named former player agent Brodie Van Wagenen their new general manager at a press conference Tuesday, and the front-office boss says he'd like to make sure Cy Young candidate Jacob deGrom stays in the Big Apple.
"I believe Jacob deGrom is an incredible talent and I hope to keep him for a long time," he said, via MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.
Before becoming Mets GM, Van Wagenen represented deGrom. In July, when his client wasn't receiving much run support, Van Wagenen suggested the franchise should trade the ace.
"We have discussed Jacob's future with the Mets at length," Van Wagenen told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal at the time. "Jacob has expressed interest in exploring a long-term partnership that would keep him in a Mets uniform for years to come.
"If the Mets don't share the same interest, we believe their best course of action is to seriously consider trade opportunities now. The inertia of the current situation could complicate Jacob's relationship with the club and creates an atmosphere of indecision."
Van Wagenen later clarified he wasn't demanding a trade for his client.
Heading into the 2018 trade deadline, deGrom's status was a hot topic with the Mets scuffling. But the team opted to keep him, and he completed the year with a league-best 1.70 ERA in 217 innings.
The 30-year-old right-hander is arbitration eligible and projects to make $12.9 million in 2019, according to MLB Trade Rumors. He can become a free agent after the 2020 season.
