Trevor Bauer, Cincinnati Reds. (Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports)
The New York Mets are no longer targeting right-hander Trevor Bauer in his free agency.
Though the New York Mets are pushing for playoff positioning this offseason, it does not seem like they will be in hot pursuit of 2020 National League Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer any more in his impending free agency.
Bauer had a fantastic season with the 2020 Cincinnati Reds. Though he overpowered hitters en route to a postseason berth, he is proving to be too expensive for any realistic return to the Queen City on a new contract. While he is going to end up signing somewhere, it may not be for the top-dollar amount he originally coveted, nor does it seem like he will be heading to the Big Apple.
Are the Mets missing out by not signing Trevor Bauer this offseason?
If the Mets were to land Bauer, they might have the best rotation in baseball. Jacob deGrom is a superstar ace and we know what Noah Syndergaard can do when he is healthy. Though the Mets traded for former Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor earlier in January, they missed out on the George Springer sweepstakes, as he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.
New York may have done enough this winter to push the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. However, there are no guarantees the Mets will unseat the three-time reigning division champions in 2021. The Mets may be looking at guys like Jackie Bradley Jr. or Brad Hand to round out their roster, but neither possible move will win the news cycle quite like landing the reigning NL Cy Young winner.
Where will Bauer end up signing this offseason and how close to spring training will it be?