Jacob deGrom news
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The gist
Jacob deGrom blocked a trade that would have sent him from the Rangers to the Braves.
The 38-year-old stays in Texas for a playoff push with 16 games left.
Background
The Braves needed rotation help after losing several starters to injury during the 2026 season, and at the trade deadline they worked out the structure of a deal with Texas that would have sent Spencer Strider to the Rangers for deGrom. deGrom used the no-trade clause in his Rangers contract to stop it. The Rangers are still in the AL wild-card race, and deGrom remains part of their rotation.
How it unfolded
- before the 2026 Trade DeadlineThe Braves and Rangers discussed a contract-swap trade sending Spencer Strider to Texas for Jacob deGrom, with the structure of a deal in place.
- last weekdeGrom exercised his no-trade clause to block the move to Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Sep 5, 2026deGrom started the third game of a four-game series against the Rays in Arlington; he had given up two homers in a 6-3 extra-inning loss the previous day.
- Sep 10, 2026deGrom took the mound against the Mariners with Texas 1.5 games back of the final AL wild-card spot and 16 games left; he entered at 10-9 with a 3.96 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote that although deGrom blocked the deal, it is clear Atlanta is open to moving its former ace, Spencer Strider.
- Caution
- The Sporting News described Strider as an injury-prone starter on a $75M contract and said it is unfortunate but the reality of where he is in his career.
Still unverified
The reported trade talks and deGrom's use of his no-trade clause come from reporting by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and MLB.com; the Rangers and Braves have not been confirmed as commenting on the specifics.