The Mets should still be pursuing top free agents after acquiring catcher James McCann.
New York Mets fans are standing by hoping for big news in the form of top free agents heading to Queens. Wednesday brought an update that the team was signing catcher James McCann, essentially severing any link to J.T. Realmuto.
While McCann may not be the catcher Mets fans hoped for, the deal does mean the team is still alive in the chase for other top free agents. Let’s take a look at the players the Mets should still be linked to this offseason.
3 free agents Mets should pursue
3. Trevor Bauer
Bauer is the top pitcher available and it appears he is willing to sign a multi-year deal after saying in the past he would only go on a year-by-year basis.
Noah Syndergaard underwent Tommy John surgery in March and the Mets could use another ace to pair with Jacob de Grom. Marcus Stroman is back for one year in 2021 so getting a Cy Young winning duo in place would be huge to start the Steve Cohen era.
Bauer just won the National League Cy Young Award after posting a 1.73 ERA in 2020. He is using new methods to improve his durability and is a rare pitcher willing to head to the mound on short rest. Some may not like him because of his personality, but there is no denying he would make the Mets a better team.
The Mets once had a dominant rotation featuring de Grom, Syndergaard, and Matt Harvey. Now the team can get back to being known for pitching by adding a proven veteran who may only be nearing his peak.