Jacob deGrom isn’t afraid to admit the thought entered his mind as he watched David Wright receive a hero’s farewell from the Mets.
“It’s rare that happens anymore that guys spend their whole career with one team, and it shows you how special it is,” deGrom said before departing Citi Field on Sunday for the final time this season. “Definitely you think, ‘What if this could be me?’ however many years down the road.”
DeGrom is next on the Mets’ list of potential franchise players. But that is contingent upon the team securing him with a long-term contract at some point in the next two years.
The 30-year-old deGrom — who posted a major league best 1.70 ERA this season and is expected to win his first Cy Young award — remains under club control through the 2020 season.
Whether deGrom stays for a soup-to-nuts career in the organization into which he was drafted is as much the Mets’ call as his own.
Last offseason, there was talk of negotiations on a long-term agreement, but discussions never gained momentum. DeGrom has indicated he remains open to a long-term arrangement that would buy out his remaining arbitration years.
Could deGrom fill some of the leadership voided created by Wright’s departure?
“Those are big shoes to fill and that is not easy to do — it’s going to be tough to fill those shoes,” deGrom said. “I don’t really know.”
Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo are among the young everyday players who conceivably could fill the leadership role. Both will be following a Mets legend in Wright, whose physical issues preclude him from continuing his career.
“A very cool night [Saturday] and an emotional night, just the way these fans applauded him for a great career,” deGrom said. “What he’s done here is very impressive, and I was fortunate enough to play with him. I felt the same way as the fans did [Saturday], a great guy to be around, a professional on and off the field, and someone you try to model you career after.
“I found myself trying to fight back some tears. I really enjoyed being around the guy, and I am really going to miss him.”
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