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The real issue with Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets is the same one the Mets so often face Xander Bogaerts Jersey , the one they never seem to completely answer.Are they willing to act like a big-market team?A big-market team should be willing to sign a Cy Young-winning pitcher to a long-term contract. But a big-market team also shouldn't be afraid of any artificial deadlines along the way.For all the talk of an Opening Day "deadline" in the deGrom negotiations, the only real deadline is the end of the 2020 season, when deGrom would be eligible to leave as a free agent. And even then, the Mets would still be able to sign him until someone else does.Yes, it could cost more by then. Yes, it could cost more by next winter, if deGrom comes anywhere close to replicating a 2018 season in which he had a 1.70 ERA and struck out 269 in 217 innings.Big-market teams don't need to worry much about things like that. They can afford to wait, because if the price goes up, they can afford to pay it.The New York Yankees often operate that way.With the Mets, you're never sure they could afford it. You're not even sure they can afford to sign deGrom for whatever the price would be now, and their lack of a contract offer at this point in the offseason raises uncomfortable questions.Even though the Mets have signed some stars before free agency (David Wright, 2012) and others after they reached that point (Yoenis Cespedes, 2016) http://www.redsoxproshops.com/authentic-dustin-pedroia-jersey , their fans understandably wonder whether the owners are willing to fully commit. Just this winter, the Mets took on a big contract when they traded for Robinson Cano, but they stopped short of engaging with Bryce Harper and/or Manny Machado, the two biggest impact players on the market.And, of course, they have yet to make an offer to deGrom, as both sides acknowledged to reporters Thursday.There's still plenty of time between now and Opening Day for the Mets to make an offer, plenty of time for counteroffers, plenty of time for this all to become a non-issue and for the Mets and deGrom to schedule a press conference to announce he has signed.But if they decide not to meet whatever deGrom's price is now, so what? He's still going to pitch for them in 2019, with a $17 million salary that represents an appropriate raise over the $7.4 million he made in 2018. He's still under control for 2020, too.When Brodie Van Wagenen was Jacob deGroms agent last year, he tried to pressure the Mets into a deal. Now Blake Swihart Jersey , hes the Mets general manager.Jeff Roberson/Associated Press/Associated PressAnd while there's been lots of talk about a memo written by Jeff Berry, now serving as deGrom's agent, that's most likely a non-issue as well. The memo, as published by ESPN.com in December, outlines all sorts of "player-first" strategies players and their union could use to counter what some of them see as unfair practices by management.The most relevant tactic in this case would be for a pitcher approaching free agency to limit his innings if it might help him make the case for a better contract as a free agent. Asked about that possibility at Mets camp Thursday, deGrom didn't run away from it."I think that's a discussion that's going to have to be had with my agents," he said, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post.So we're supposed to believe that deGrom would ask out of games early even if it might impact the Mets' position in a pennant race? Sorry, not buying that one (and if he did, is that the kind of guy you want to sign long-term?).OK, so what about this deadline, the one first reported by the Postand later confirmed by Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen? Should it scare the Mets or their fans that deGrom doesn't want negotiations to continue into the season?No, because he's not eligible for free agency this year. And while players are often more reluctant to sign long-term deals in the winter before free agency (next winter Rick Porcello Jersey , in deGrom's case), would deGrom really refuse to negotiate next winter when the option would be to become a free agent at age 32 at a time when free agency isn't favoring older players?Mets owners Jeff Wilpon and Fred Wilpon (with Brodie Van Wagenen) havent been able to shake the perception theyre running the Mets like a mid-market team.Frank Franklin II/Associated Press/Associated PressAny frustration deGrom is feeling right now would be understandable. The Mets told him more than two months ago they'd get him some kind of contract offer soon, according to a person familiar with the talks. Both sides said Thursday there has yet to be a long-term contract offered.It would make sense for the Mets to engage, not just because they said they would but because they need to find out for sure if what they're willing to pay is anywhere near what deGrom is willing to sign for. But even with an Opening Day deadline, they still have well over a month to do that.The only risk of keeping him without signing him long-term is they could be convinced they can't afford to pay him enough to stay. Small-market teams think that way and get pushed into earlier extensions.Big-market teams shouldn't. They should get an extension done if the numbers make sense and not because of fear of an artificial deadline.But there's that question again, the one that still doesn't have an answer:Are the Mets willing to act like the big-market team they should be?Danny Knobler covers Major League Baseball as a national columnist for Bleacher Report.Follow Danny on Twitter and talk baseball. Using multiple projections, we break down the best MLB divisional betting values. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves are favorites to win their divisions.We analyze whether these three teams are worth betting this late in the season.The 2018 MLB postseason begins on Tuesday, Oct. 2. That is just two weeks away!Boston was the first team to earn a playoff berth and though the Red Sox haven鈥檛 clinched the AL East yet, with an 11.5-game lead it is only a matter of time. Last Saturday, Cleveland locked up the AL Central for a third consecutive season.Rockies-Dodgers Preview: Great Pitching Matchup Provides Over/Under ValueRead nowOutside of the AL East and AL Central, the rest of the divisions are up for grabs. The bookmakers have posted odds on the division races.Which teams are offering bettors value?To find out, we created a consensus projection using simulations from Baseball Prospectus and FanGraphs. Then we compared the consensus projections to current lines.For example http://www.oriolesfanproshop.com/authentic-j.j.-hardy-jersey , the Brewers’ odds of winning the NL Central are +535. For us to feel comfortable wagering on Milwaukee, it would need to win the division 15.7% (which is 100/(100 +535)) of the time.According to our simulations, the Brew Crew has an 11.6% chance of winning the division crown, meaning there is no value in placing a bet at +535 odds.Based on the difference in implied probability and projected chance, there are seven bets, including team and field, offering value. The analysis below looks at the three best wagers.Atlanta BravesCurrent odds: -2000, Implied Probability: 95.2%Braves win NL East 98.5% of the timeAtlanta is on a three-game skid following a season best six-game winning streak. The Braves play their next six games at home, but they have lost nine of their last 12 games at SunTrust Park. Does this make you want to lay -2000 odds?I mention this because none of it really matters when the team has a 6.5-game lead in one of the weakest divisions in baseball. The Braves finish the season with 10 games against their NL East rivals against whom they’ve gone 43-23 this season.>> Sign up for The Action Network’s daily newsletter to get the smartest MLB conversation delivered into your inbox each morning.Houston AstrosCurrent odds: -2000, Implied Probability: 95.2%Astros win AL West 98.6% of the timeThe Astros’ magic number to clinch the division is down to nine. Houston鈥檚 on pace to win more than 100 games and is a ridiculous 52-22 on the road this season, which will come in handy as the team closes with consecutive series away from home.Los Angeles DodgersCurrent odds: -250, Implied Probability: 71.4%Dodgers win NL West 77.1% of the timeDodgers outfielder Joc Pederson hit two home runs on Monday, helping Los Angeles top Colorado Adam Jones Jersey , 8-2. The victory put LA back in first place in the NL West.The offense has led the way all season. The Dodgers lead the National League in home runs (215) and runs (727), and, according to Fan Graphs, the Dodgers’ high-powered offense has generated the most WAR (27.8) in baseball this season.LA isn鈥檛 a lock to win its division like Atlanta and Houston are, but the -250 odds are easier to swallow.Plus, the Rockies could be without the services of All-Star Trevor Story, who left last night鈥檚 game with an elbow injury. Story is the first shortstop in MLB history with at least 40 doubles, 30 home runs and 25 steals.