As we enter January, the expectation is that the slow-moving free agent market starts to heat up eventually. Only a handful of players have signed, and most of the pool remains intact. The New York Yankees and Mets both have needs in the rotation, and Trevor Bauer, the best pitcher available, is still considering his options.
Rachel Luba, Bauer’s agent, said on Tuesday that they are speaking to ‘a number of teams’ and will consider ‘a number’ of contracts. It is a rather vague update, but according to her, the pitcher himself will soon release a video in his Youtube channel to provide more clarity.
The Yankees and Mets still need pitching: will they pursue Bauer?
Luba tweeted the following message:
“So far, we and Trevor have spoken to a number of teams, and Trevor is encouraged to hear so many teams and coaches talk about all the date and technology they’re using to help players develop, as pushing that part of the game forward has been an important goal of his throughout his career.
“Free agency is a unique experience for players, and Trevor has enjoyed the process and the many incredible fans he’s gotten the chance to know and interact with – he’s looking forward to seeing fans back in the ballpark in 2021 as baseball was not the same without them.
“Trevor will make his free agent decision based on a variety of factors (for his priorities in free agency see his upcoming YouTube video) and he’s considering a number of different types of contracts and structures.”
Both the Mets and the Yankees could use a pitcher like Bauer
Both the New York Yankees and Mets could really use a pitcher like Bauer. Luis Severino won’t return before June and the Bombers already lost James Paxton, J.A. Happ, and Masahiro Tanaka to free agency.
Meanwhile, the Mets are facing some uncertainty behind Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman. David Peterson was a rookie and despite his good showing in 2020, his peripherals indicate possible regression. Steven Matz was bad last season, and Noah Syndergaard is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery and isn’t an option before June.
Bauer, currently 29 years old, won the 2020 National League Cy Young Award after finishing with a 1.73 ERA for the Cincinnati Reds.
The Mets are a more realistic landing spot than the Yankees, though, because the latter aren’t very inclined to break the bank this offseason.