Cincinnati Reds: 4 free agents worth overpaying this offseason

3. Trevor Bauer, Starting pitcher

Should the Cincinnati Reds re-sign Trevor Bauer? I think everyone throughout Reds Country would love to see it. But, the price tag may be too much. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Bauer could sign a four-year deal worth upwards of $128M. That’s an AAV $32M. Can Cincinnati afford to pay Bauer $32M per year?

The biggest question for Cincinnati might not center around dollars and cents. Bauer has made it clear that money is not his only desire. The right-hander obviously isn’t going to short change himself too much, but he’s referenced his happiness and winning as factors that will help him make a decision this winter.

Bauer has a great rapport with catchers Tucker Barnhart and Curt Casali, both of whom figure to be with the Reds next season. Trevor Bauer has also spoken highly of Cincinnati’s pitching coach Derek Johnson. Might Johnson and David Bell devise a way to allow Bauer to pitch every fourth day like he desires? If so, that could be a major selling point for the California native.

The Reds may have to overpay in order to keep Trevor Bauer. But rather than offering the likely Cy Young winner a four-year deal, what if Cincinnati puts together a two-year offer to Bauer? Would Trevor Bauer sign a two-year/$75M contract? That would keep Bauer in the Queen City through 2022 and allow young prospects Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo to continue their development.