Mets fans must face the reality that Jacob deGrom could choose the Texas Rangers

It’s hard to say goodbye to great players… especially when they’re Jacob deGrom. The free agent ace pitcher is reportedly interested in signing with the Texas Rangers, with the team being named frequently as a landing spot for deGrom.

To say Mets fans aren’t ready for that scenario to potentially play out would be… understating things, to be sure.

Mets fans must be prepared for the possibility of Jacob deGrom choosing the Texas Rangers in free agency

In theory, a lot of these fans are correct: the Mets are positioned to be a perennial contender thanks to Steve Cohen and his big wallet. And if deGrom wants to win now, he probably should return to them.

But deGrom opted out, making him a free agent and subject to the will of any team that wants to pursue him on the open market. And that means the Rangers are free to make a run at him whether Mets fans like it or not.

It’s also not like the Texas Rangers are hopeless, either. Sure, they don’t have much winning attached to their name in recent years, especially not the last two when they lost 102 and 94 games, respectively. But Chris Young has done a fabulous job building up a deep trove of prospects in the minor league system, while also convincing ownership to spend money of their own. They landed Corey Seager and Marcus Semien less than a year ago, in case anyone forgot.

Oh, and Bruce Bochy is managing this club now. That Buck Showalter advantage the Mets had? In this rodeo, that’s all but evaporated. Bochy is easily Showalter’s equal, if not arguably his superior with three championships to his name. Showalter, while highly respected, has never gotten over that hump.

Ultimately, Jacob deGrom will chase the money, as is his right. He will go to the suitor that is ready to unload a dump truck of funds into his bank account. And that could easily be the Mets. But it could also be the Rangers, without state income tax. And Mets fans just don’t seem ready for this harsh reality.