New York Mets appear favorites to land Trevor Bauer

One of the most active teams during the free agency period, the New York Mets could land one more big fish in the pool. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the team made a huge offer to free agent pitcher Trevor Bauer. It was so large that included in the deal possibly could be the highest average salary in MLB history.

Trevor Bauer is coming off an incredible campaign in which he posted a 1.73 ERA, 100 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 73 innings pitched.  Earlier this offseason, Trevor Bauer backtracked on comments that he would only sign a one-year contract.  Now open to any and all offers, his contract likely will average in the $30 million and over range, which includes four other pitchers (Clayton Kershaw, David Price, Max Scherzer, and Zack Greinke). The one issue holding the New York Mets back is Bauer’s controversial and very active social media in which at one point Bauer indicated that MLB censored his accounts.  Trevor Bauer defends himself by saying that he doesn’t shy away from confrontation and will defend himself, but doesn’t classify himself as a bully and is offended when his character is questioned.

After New York Mets fired general manager Jared Porter last week due to his harassment of a female reporter in 2016 and sending her sexually explicit messages, owner Steve Cohen made it clear there was zero tolerance for such behavior. Therefore, scrutinizing Bauer comes with the territory. Should the Mets sign Bauer, he will add to a rotation that includes Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, and either David Peterson or Steven Matz. Trevor Bauer and Jacob deGrom would form a fearsome duo at the top of the rotation and would be difficult to beat in a playoff series. That’s exactly what the New York Mets are counting on in 2021.