After spending substantial funds in Trevor May, James McCann, Francisco Lindor, and Carlos Carrasco, the New York Mets only need remains a true, glove-first center fielder, and perhaps another starter and reliever. They don’t have to break the bank for a pitcher like Trevor Bauer, but as it turns out, he is still a strong possibility.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, it is believed that the two teams that have the best chance to land the controversial free agent are the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Angels.
After missing out on Gerrit Cole last season, the Angels’ biggest weakness remain the pitching. They have the best player in the planet, Mike Trout, yet they can’t take the next step and advance to the postseason year in and year out because of their unreliable pitching. Bauer could help the organization a lot, and that’s why they are seen as the favorites.
However, Mets’ president Sandy Alderson has said on the record that he likes Bauer and sees his personality fitting in New York.
The Mets could have the best rotation in baseball with Bauer
Signing Bauer would give the Mets perhaps the best rotation in baseball, with Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard (when he returns in June or July) Marcus Stroman, Carlos Carrasco, and the former Reds hurler.
Feinsand also mentions that the Dodgers are monitoring the righty’s market, which was reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan this week. He would be more of a luxury for the current champions, though.
In just eleven starts and 73.0 frames, Bauer managed to accumulate 2.5 fWAR. He was a bit lucky in the BABIP (.215) and strand rate (90.9%) departments, but managed to finish the shortened 2020 season with a minuscule 1.73 ERA, a 2.88 FIP, and a 3.25 FIP. He struck out 12.33 batters per nine frames while walking just 2.10 per nine. He has the potential to take the Mets’ rotation to the next level.