MLB Analyst believes Jacob deGrom could be the most overrated signing this offseason - "I'd rather have two years of Verlander than five of deGrom"

Jacob deGrom was signed by the Texas Rangers this offseason to a five-year, $185 million contract. He has spent over a decade in Major League Baseball as one of the top pitchers when healthy. Yet, the former ace of the New York Mets has expressed concern about durability.

"Jacob deGrom signed with the Texas Rangers this offseason. Very interesting how the 2x Cy Young winner will do in Arlington" - sportskeeda_mlb

The contract is reportedly for $185 million, with a sixth-year option that, if exercised, would increase the total value to $222 million. The agreement was reached a year after the Rangers spent more than $500 million on infielders Corey Seager and Marcus Semien in free agency.

The Mets replaced the ace pitcher with another one in a matter of two days, as they signed Justin Verlander from the Astros, tying him to a two-year deal worth $86.67 million, including a vesting option for the third year.

The 39-year-old Verlander started 28 games for the Houston Astros last season, pitching 175 innings with a 1.75 ERA and a 6.38 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He missed most of the 2020-2021 seasons when he underwent and subsequently recovered from Tommy John surgery. Verlander is the sixth Cy Young Award winner in the current season to sign with a new team.

"I'd rather have two years of Verlander than five of deGrom," an MLB insider told The Athletic's Jayson Stark.

Some analysts and fans argued whether it was a loss or a major gain for the Mets to lose Jacob deGrom and sign Verlander instead.

The answer has almost always been in favor of the Mets management making the right decision by bringing Justin Verlander to Queens. Given both pitchers' past injury histories, it would have been a difficult decision gauging both contracts, but Verlander has become a perennial pitcher in MLB, one who is already just one step short of getting into Cooperstown.

Can Jacob deGrom bring his "A" game to Texas?

Right-hander Jon Gray, whose $56 million, four-year deal with the Rangers was overshadowed by Seager and Semien last winter, is now part of the team's rotation along with Jacob deGrom. All-Star left-hander Martin Perez signed a $19.65 million qualifying offer to stay in Texas this offseason, while former All-Star right-hander Jake Odorizzi was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Rangers in November.

"Jacob deGrom arrives at Rangers camp," New York sports anchor Ryan Field tweeted. "That will take some getting used to."

DeGrom has a record of 82–57, 1,607 strikeouts, and 1,326 innings pitched. In the following years, he will receive $30 million, $40 million, $38 million, $37 million and $40 million, respectively. The agreement includes a non-guaranteed conditional option for 2028.