The New York Mets reportedly remain interested in right-handed pitcher Trevor Bauer, who is without a question the top free agent hurler available. Always a fan of going year-to-year to maximize his earnings, his agent Rachel Luba had previously said in the winter that he wouldn’t be considering those kinds of deals, but after a few months, the conditions appear to have changed.
Now, the New York Mets are said to be willing to offer Bauer a high-AAV (average annual value) for a one-year pact, even after adding Carlos Carrasco and Joey Lucchesi to the mix in the rotation. With Noah Syndergaard returning eventually from Tommy John surgery, and Jacob deGrom, Carrasco, Marcus Stroman, Steven Matz, Lucchesi, and David Peterson, one could argue that the Mets’ pitching depth is all set.
However, SNY reports that despite all that, the Mets are still considering Bauer as a difference-maker at the top of the rotation. The price, however, isn’t expected to be cheap at all.
The Mets would have to pony up
“If you’re talking about a one-year deal it’s going to take more than $30 million,†one rival team executive told SNY’s John Harper. “Probably closer to $40 million because he’s going to want the highest AAV, and right now that’s (Gerrit) Cole at $36 million (a year).
“You never know with Bauer but I still think he’ll take the biggest deal he can find, because he’ll never have this kind of leverage again. If the AAV is $30 million, I can’t see him taking less than five years.â€
The Los Angeles Angels are supposed to be players for Bauer, as are the Chicago White Sox. The former is several starters away from contention, while the flamboyant pitcher can push the latter into the upper-echelon of MLB.
The Mets, after losing center fielder George Springer and lefty reliever Brad Hand, can make one last splash this offseason. Stay tuned.