Ace starting pitcher Jacob deGrom departed the New York Mets during free agency when he reached a deal with the Texas Rangers. Despite his legendary tenure and Cy Young success in New York, contract negotiations involved balancing long-term financial commitments and durability concerns given his history of injuries. When the Rangers offered a massive multi-year contract that met his demands, deGrom chose a new chapter in his career, and the Mets subsequently shifted their financial resources toward other roster components.