Jacob deGrom was nearly traded to the Atlanta Braves in a blockbuster deal that would have sent Spencer Strider to the Texas Rangers, according to reports. The proposed transaction was a "contract swap" discussed before this year's trade deadline.
DeGrom ultimately declined to waive his no-trade clause, citing his preference to stay in Texas. The trade talks are now coming to light, with MLB.com's Mark Feinsand revealing Strider was the player discussed in a potential exchange for deGrom.
This potential deal would have involved two accomplished right-handed pitchers who have both dealt with significant injuries. DeGrom, who turned 38 in June, is owed $37 million in 2027 and has a $20 million club option for 2028. This season, he has posted a 3.80 ERA across 149 1/3 innings for the Rangers. He has remained relatively healthy over the past two seasons, making at least 25 starts in consecutive years, a feat he last achieved during his back-to-back Cy Young Award-winning seasons in 2018-19.
Spencer Strider, 27, would have offered a younger arm for Texas. However, he has also faced considerable injury setbacks in recent years. Since the start of the 2024 season, Strider has made only 33 big league starts due to a series of injuries, including elbow surgery in 2024, a hamstring strain last year, and oblique and elbow issues this season. He has struggled on the mound this year, with a 5.31 ERA across eight outings. Strider is owed $22 million over the next two seasons, with a club option for 2029.
The trade, had it materialized, would have been one of many significant baseball deals that came close to completion but ultimately did not happen.