It was at the beginning of Mets Spring Training that Jacob deGrom gave the team an Opening Day deadline to work out a contract extension, but there has yet to be word of any traction regarding it. But the Mets' ace is still confident both sides can reach an agreement.
DeGrom has been staying on the outside of the extension talks with GM Brodie Van Wagenen and the Mets, telling reporters after his start Tuesday that he is letting his new CAA agent, Jeff Berry, "do his thing." And though there are only 13 games left down in Florida before deGrom kicks off the 2019 season against the Nationals on March 28, he still has high hopes that big paycheck will come his way by then.
"Being a part of the future is definitely something that I would like to be a part of," deGrom said. "That was a goal of mine so I think we're hopeful so we'll just see what happens.
"We have till the end of spring. So yeah, I'm optimistic."
When asked the same question about the status of the contract talks after the game, Van Wagenen declined to comment.
Berry and his team made their way down to Port St. Lucie at the end of February, which is the normal custom for agents during this time of the year. But it did generate some notable buzz considering the ramifications deGrom set for the Mets. SNY's Andy Martino noted both sides will be talking all spring to hopefully get something down on paper.
However, Van Wagenen made it known when deGrom set the deadline that he didn't view it "as all or nothing" to get lock him in for years to come.
"I don't view this as all or nothing," Van Wagenen said. "I view this as a continuing part of our relationship with the player. ... As we look forward, we want to make sure that we have the eye on the prize in the near-term and the long-term, and don't get tunnel vision thinking that there is more negative impact or more drama than there necessarily is."
There has still not been any official offer to deGrom that anyone is aware about, which is the reason why he seemed upset in the first place. DeGrom has also not ruled out a self-imposed innings limit for himself if a deal isn't reached at some point during the season.
So the wait continues to see whether or not the reigning Cy Young Award winner will get his desired extension. Until then, he will keep his mind on that Opening Day start with the hope his team -- both CAA and the Mets -- can iron something out.