Jacob deGrom

Contract Value Index (CVI)

On the open market, Jacob deGrom's contract earns a B- Contract Value Index against MLB AAV comps. At $37M annually on a five-year deal, deGrom's deal reflects the high-wire bet Texas made on a 37-year-old ace with a decorated pedigree—two Cy Young Awards and multiple All-MLB selections across his career—but also the inherent risk of aging at a premium rate. His A-grade performance this season validates the gamble in the short term; the recent dominance on the mound (including the seven-inning shutout against the Cubs with ten strikeouts that drew widespread praise) demonstrates he can still function as a frontline starter when healthy. However, the CVI discount from an A down to B- reflects the structural reality: at his age and with his extensive injury history, paying $185M guaranteed over five years carries real downside exposure if decline accelerates in year three or four. The Rangers appear to be betting that deGrom's rediscovered form and veteran command can anchor their rotation through a competitive window, a high-leverage decision that makes sense only if the arm holds up. Given the cautiously optimistic media narrative around his comeback trajectory, the contract value is defensible now—but it remains one of baseball's more precarious long-term commitments for a pitcher in his late thirties.