According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the New York Mets have indeed been exploring their avenues regarding free-agent right-hander Trevor Bauer.
This confirms previous reports of dialogue between the two parties after the Mets missed out on their presumable primary free-agent target, center fielder George Springer, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays late this week for a reported six years and $150 million.
Per Heyman, “[the] Mets have interest in [Bauer], but likely on a shorter deal”, noting the Dodgers as another team who would be involved under those parameters.
Bauer’s reported interest in securing a long-term contract this winter after winning the National League Cy Young Award in a COVID-shortened 2020 season has been a prominent talking point surrounding his market.
The UCLA product has said previously, on his YouTube channel, that he’d be more inclined to sign one-year contracts for the remainder of his career.
On January 5, Bauer’s agent, Rachel Luba, confirmed on Twitter that the right-hander would be “considering a number of different types of contracts and structures”. Her client is reportedly seeking an annual average value (AAV) of over $30 million on his new deal.
Bauer, 30, comes attached with an alarming level of controversy, including multiple instances of online harassment, as Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic detailed in his report on Friday night.
In 11 starts last season, the former third-overall draft pick (2011; Diamondbacks) pitched to a 1.73 ERA (2.88 FIP), with 100 strikeouts, 17 walks, and 2.5 wins above replacement (FanGraphs), good for fourth in baseball among qualified starters.
Since the start of 2018, Bauer’s 11.6 fWAR ranks sixth among the same group (3.18 ERA, 11th). Zack Wheeler, who signed a five-year deal with Philadelphia last offseason for $118 million, has 10.9 fWAR over that span, good for ninth.
We’ll keep you posted with new information as it becomes available.
