Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

New York Mets owner Steve Cohen said the club has had informal talks about a contract extension for star pitcher Jacob deGrom but now might not be the time to get one done.

“I’m focused on this year,” Cohen told reporters before Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals. “I don’t think it’s the right moment. We’re focused on this year, so obviously it’s something we’re thinking about. We love Jacob.

“I don’t think I could pitch to a 0.54 ERA,” Cohen added. “He’s special.”



deGrom is in the third season of a five-year, $137.5 million contract that includes a player opt-out available after 2022.

The 33-year-old two-time Cy Young Award winner has an ERA of just 0.54 in 11 starts this year and 111 strikeouts for a rate of 14.9 strikeouts per nine innings. While battling through side tightness, elbow tendinitis and most recently shoulder soreness, deGrom has allowed just four earned runs all season.

He has a record of 6-2, with both losses coming in games in which the Mets were shut out.

Cohen also was reluctant to speak about another starter, Marcus Stroman, and the possibility of an extension.

“There are big decisions, right? Nobody has an unlimited amount of money,” Cohen said. “…We’ll figure it out when we get there.”

Cohen bought a majority stake in the Mets in September, and 2021 is the first full season of his ownership.

–Field Level Media (@FieldLevelMedia)