Trevor Bauer rumors: New York Mets to be aggressive in their pursuit

Is Trevor Bauer headed to the Big Apple?

Every winter, it seems as the top free agents in the land are oftentimes rumored to be the target of the New York Yankees. However, this winter seems to favor the other team that takes up residence in the Empire State. The New York Mets are rumored to be aggressive in their pursuit to sign Trevor Bauer and other top free agents on the market.

According to Buster Olney of ESPN, after seeing the Atlanta Braves sign Charlie Morton to a one-year contract yesterday, the Mets front office is likely to intensify their efforts to sign one of the top remaining free agents available, and Bauer is on their wishlist.

In addition to Trevor Bauer, Olney lists George Springer, J.T. Realmuto, and Francisco Lindor. While Lindor is not a free agent until after the 2021 season, the Cleveland Indians have not hidden their desire to trade the four-time All-Star. The Cincinnati Reds, who have a giant hole at shortstop, have been rumored to be one of the teams interested in trading for Lindor as well.

Braves have been aggressive so far, and the Mets will not be far behind, aiming at the best available players. A source says about the Mets targeting more more than one of the big four of the winter (Springer, Realmuto, Bauer, Lindor): "It's all true."
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 24, 2020

Given the change in ownership and the lack of success, it should not come as a surprise that the Mets are interested in Bauer and the other top names available this offseason. Over their 59-year history, New York has made it to the postseason just nine times with their most recent trip occurring during the 2016 season. That year, the Mets lost in the Wild Card Round.

If Trevor Bauer does indeed end up with the Mets, he’d join a star-studded starting rotation that would easily be the best in the baseball. Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard, and two-time Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom already call the Big Apple home.

Bauer won the NL Cy Young award this season, becoming the first ever player in Cincinnati Reds history to accomplish such a feat. The right-hander owned a 5-4 record while leading the league in ERA (1.73) and WHIP (0.795).

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Given the Cincinnati Reds financial constraints, it appears unlikely that Bauer returns to the Queen City in 2021. However, because the Reds extended a qualifying offer to Bauer at the onset of free agency, Cincinnati will net a compensatory draft pick should the right-hander sign elsewhere this winter. The compensation will be based on the size of Bauer’s new deal.

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