Ken Rosenthal: Re-signing Jacob deGrom is Mets' 'focus' in free agency

There's yet another sign that ace Jacob deGrom could ultimately return to the New York Mets this fall or winter. 

While deGrom has repeatedly been linked in stories and rumors with the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Monday that the Rangers "seem more confident of landing left-hander Carlos Rodon and possibly Japanese righty Kodai Senga" than they do of signing the 34-year-old who opted out of his contract earlier this month. 

Rosenthal added that the Braves "are only about $5 million shy of the initial $233 million luxury-tax threshold" at the same time that re-signing deGrom appears to be the Mets' "focus" this offseason. For a piece published on Nov. 14, Rosenthal said that the Braves signing deGrom was "highly unlikely." 

SNY's Andy Martino reported last week that the New York Yankees had "recently requested medical information on deGrom," but they are first concentrating on keeping reigning American League Most Valuable Player Aaron Judge in the Bronx for the foreseeable future. Rosenthal said for Monday's piece that a "mystery team" such as the Los Angeles Dodgers could swoop in for deGrom, in part because the Dodgers "relish the type of short-term, high-dollar deal deGrom is likely to command." 

It was said earlier this month that contract predictions indicated big-spending Mets owner Steve Cohen wouldn't be outbid for deGrom as long as holding onto the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner was a top priority for the club. 

There are, of course, injury concerns regarding the veteran who made only 26 regular-season starts across the past two campaigns. He dealt with worrisome elbow issues and a stress reaction in the scapula of his pitching shoulder over that time. However, an orthopedic sports surgeon believes nothing about those setbacks suggests deGrom's future injury risk "is higher than any other pitcher of his age."