The Texas Rangers acquired two-time National League (NL) Cy Young Award winner, free agent Jacob deGrom, the team announced on Friday. ESPN revealed that deGrom signed a five-year, $185 million contract, the biggest during the ongoing MLB offseason. The deal includes a full no-trade clause and no deferred money.

Having missed the first four months of the 2022 season because of a stress reaction in his shoulder, deGrom threw 64.1 innings for the New York Mets with a 5-4 record and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.08 in 11 starts. He achieved 102 strikeouts while allowing only eight walkouts and nine home runs.

The Mets finished the 2022 regular season with a 101-61 record and ranked second in the NL East behind the Atlanta Braves. The Mets lost to the San Diego Padres 2-1 in the NL Wild Card Series in the postseason.

Having finished his ninth major league season in the Mets, deGrom opted out his contract with the Mets when there were two years left and hit the free agency. The Rangers, which continued their heavy investments for the second straight offseason, reached out to and reached the blockbuster deal with him.

Last year, the Rangers outspent every other team by signing shortstop Corey Seager on a 10-year, $325 million contract, second baseman Marcus Semien for seven years and $175 million, as well as pitcher Jon Gray on a four-year, $56 million contract.

The tremendous number of money the Rangers are willing to pay deGrom shows the great expectations on the 34-year-old. He is a four-time All-Star who was selected into the All-MLB First Team twice, but also a pitcher who threw no more than 224.1 innings in the past three seasons due to injuries.

The Rangers finished the 2022 regular season with a 68-94 record and ranked fourth in the American League West. It has been six seasons since they made the playoffs the last time.