WASHINGTON — Jacob deGrom elevated himself from an already outstanding starter to something more than that this year by commanding inner-half fastballs better and throwing his slider and changeup more frequently and with greater precision.
He mentioned “control” of any pitch at any time for showing up as an All-Star with a major league best 1.68 ERA.
Yet he lacks control over of what is most important to him — his baseball life. So, to that end, deGrom’s representative, Brodie Van Wagenen, tried to gain clarity and, perhaps, leverage by using the mega-scrutinized All-Star Monday proceedings to declare the Mets should make a strong statement with his client by either inking him to an extension and building around him or trading him and reconstructing with what they get in return.