Rangers may raid Mets to build around Jacob deGrom, report says

Starting pitcher Jacob deGrom signed with the Texas Rangers Friday.

The Texas Rangers might not be done plucking beloved New York Mets stars out of Queens.

It began Friday when it was announced they had signed Jacob deGrom to a five-year, $185 million contract, ending any aspirations that the ace would remain a career Met.

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And now, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports that the Rangers are not done shopping in New York: As the Rangers look to build around Jacob deGrom, they could explore a deal with the Mets for James McCann, a veteran catcher widely known to be available. McCann is owed $24 million over the next two years, and the Mets could shed at least some of that salary.

There were high hopes for McCann when he signed a four-year, $40 million deal with the Mets in 2020, but the 32-year-old fizzled and hit just .220 with a .610 OPS in his 182 games.

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The catcher has also spent a large chunk of time hurt. He sidelined for most of May and June for surgery on his wrist, and then placed on the injured list again in July with a left oblique strain.

In addition, catcher Francisco Alvarez, MLB Pipeline’s top-ranked prospect, made his big-league debut with the Mets in September.

MORE MLB:

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- Yankees’ Hal Steinbrenner headlines list of names facing ‘scrutiny’ at Winter Meetings

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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.

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