What It Means:

"I’m a little bit older so I might be more willing to do something like that,’’ said deGrom. "You just have to look at what is fair so both sides get a decent deal." DeGrom, 27, was the best starter on a team that advanced to the World Series last year, but his contract doesn't expire until 2020. If the Mets do decide to lock up deGrom long-term, Madison Bumgarner's six-year, $35.56 million extension with the San Francisco Giants could be used as a blueprint.

DeGrom has been one of the game's elite starters over the last two seasons. In 2014, he posted a 3.03 xFIP while striking out 9.24 hitters per nine innings. He improved on both numbers in 2015, fanning 9.66 hitters per nine innings on his way to a pristine 2.92 xFIP, which ranked seventh among all starters.