According to Jon Heyman of MLB network, the New York Mets have indeed explored their avenues with regard to free-agent right-hander Trevor Bauer.
This confirms previous reports of a dialogue between the two sides after the Mets missed their suspected free agent primary target, midfielder. George Springer, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for six years and $ 150 million late this week.
Per Heyman, “[the] Mets are interested in [Bauer], but probably with a shorter deal, ”noting the Dodgers as another team that would be involved under those parameters.
Bauer’s reported interest in securing a long-term deal this winter after winning the National League Cy Young Award in a COVID-shortened 2020 season was a prominent topic of conversation around its market.
The UCLA product has previously said on its YouTube channel that he would be more likely to sign one-year contracts for the rest of his career.
On January 5, Bauer’s agent, Rachel Luba, confirmed that Twitter that the right-handed “would consider a number of different types of contracts and structures”. Her client is reportedly looking for an annual mean value (AAV) of more than $ 30 million for his new deal.
Bauer, 30, has been attached to an alarming level of controversy, including multiple instances of online harassment, such as Ken Rosenthal of The athletic detailed in its report Friday evening.
In 11 starts last season, the former threw third overall draft-pick (2011; Diamondbacks) to a 1.73 ERA (2.88 FIP), with 100 strikeouts, 17 walks and 2.5 wins over replacements (FanGraphs), good for fourth place in baseball among qualified starters.
As of early 2018, Bauer’s 11.6 fWAR is ranked sixth out of the same group (3.18 ERA, 11th). Zack Wheeler, which signed a five-year deal with Philadelphia for $ 118 million last off-season, has 10.9 fWAR over that period, good for ninth.
We will update you with new information as it becomes available.
