Expectations are soaring in Arlington as the Texas Rangers’ prized free agent acquisition, Jacob deGrom, ramps up his throwing program this offseason. The two-time Cy Young Award winner is back on the mound and feeling strong after missing most of his first two seasons with the team due to elbow surgery.
deGrom inked a massive 5-year, $185 million deal with the Rangers in December 2022, but has made just nine starts for the club so far. He was electric when healthy in early 2023, going 6-0 with a microscopic ERA before going under the knife. The ace returned for a tantalizing three-start cameo in September, flashing his signature velocity and posting a 1.69 ERA.
Offseason Optimism Surges as deGrom Resumes Throwing
Now, for the first time as a Ranger, deGrom is enjoying a normal offseason throwing routine. He’s already been on the mound multiple times, weeks ahead of his typical February 1st start date. Most importantly, the 34-year-old reports that his arm feels great.
I could treat it like a normal offseason and not feel like I was in rehab mode the whole time…Been off the mound already and everything feels good.
– Jacob deGrom on his offseason progress
Rangers brass is equally enthused about finally unleashing a full-strength deGrom atop their rotation. President of Baseball Ops Chris Young gushed about the “electric” potential of the deGrom-led pitching staff.
One of the things I’m most excited about is a healthy season from Jacob, and for our fans to see what that looks like, and how good he is…It’s just electric.
– Chris Young, Rangers President of Baseball Operations
Putting Injury Woes in the Rearview
When healthy, few can match deGrom’s sheer dominance on the mound. He captured back-to-back NL Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019 with the Mets, leading the league in strikeouts both years. But various arm ailments have limited him to just 26 starts over the past three seasons combined.
His brief September return in a Rangers uniform showcased the deGrom of old. His fastball kissed 98 mph as he struck out 14 over 10.2 innings. Those three starts gave him peace of mind heading into the winter.
In those games…you just came back from a major surgery and you probably don’t get another one at my age. So it was, hey, is everything good? And then like I said, was able to check those boxes off in this offseason, treat it normal.
– Jacob deGrom
Rangers Rotation Ready for Liftoff
If deGrom can regain his otherworldly form over a full season, the Rangers suddenly boast one of the most formidable rotations in baseball. He joins fellow Texas newcomer Nathan Eovaldi, 2022 All-Star Martín Pérez, upside plays Jon Gray and Andrew Heaney, plus rehabbing 2023 Opening Day starter Jacob Dunning.
After falling just short of the playoffs last year, the Rangers are all-in on 2025. GM Chris Young has assembled a win-now roster, with deGrom’s health perhaps the biggest X-factor. The ultra-talented righty knows the hype around him, and is eager to deliver.
Just throw the ball to the target and not think about anything…yeah, I think I can get back to where I was.
– A confident Jacob deGrom on his 2025 outlook
The Road Ahead for deGrom, Rangers
All eyes will be on deGrom’s velocity and command when he reports to camp in February. He plans to maintain a normal spring ramp-up, putting him on track to take the ball Opening Day at Globe Life Field. If the 34-year-old is dealing like his vintage self, the rest of the AL may be put on notice.
Rangers fans are hoping this is the year their huge investment in deGrom pays off. The 2025 squad appears built to contend, and maybe even chase the franchise’s first World Series title. It all starts with a healthy ace toeing the rubber every fifth day.
As winter begins to thaw, baseball buzz is building in Texas. And for the first time in his Rangers tenure, that buzz revolves around a rejuvenated Jacob deGrom, already back on the mound and dreaming of dominance once again.
