Below is a list of the latest news and rumors surrounding the Star Pitcher who turned 30 on January 17th. Bauer received the qualifying offer of $ 18.9 million from the Reds and will be tied to draft pick compensation if rejected.
Are Mets putting pressure on Bauer?
January 27th: The Mets added a little more flexibility to payroll on Wednesday when they traded Steven Matz for a trio of right-handers to the Blue Jays.
Matz, 29, is set to earn $ 5.2 million in 2021, which will now come off the books for New York.
One of the major obstacles to the Mets’ signing of Bauer was the competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold of $ 210 million. Before the Matz deal, New York’s tax pay per roster resource was roughly $ 27 million below that threshold.
The Matz deal doesn’t mean Trevor Bauer will definitely sign with the Mets, but it certainly opens the door wider. Mets now has an additional $ 5.2 million in payroll space, not to mention an open position on the rotation.
– Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 28, 2021
The extra money released could be used to land Bauer, although the Mets could still look for an upgrade in midfield. The club is also considering contract extensions for Lindor and outfielder Michael Conforto, who will be free agents after this season.
Are Blue Jays from the Bauer Sweepstakes?
January 27th: When the Blue Jays unveiled their newest superstar in midfielder George Springer on Wednesday, they may have pointed out that they are getting out of the race for Bauer. Toronto President and CEO Mark Shapiro told reporters that while the club has “some flexibility” to improve its roster, “most of our heavy lifting is done.”
Mark Shapiro just said, “Most of our heavy lifting is done.” So just hop off the Trevor Bauer train (if you’ve ever been on it).
I still see #Bluejays Landing of one or two men from the Odorizzi / Walker / Paxton group.
– Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) January 27, 2021
While jumper and infielder Marcus Semien (according to sources) this week’s new additions undoubtedly stepped up the Blue Jays offensive, upgrades to their rotation remain the biggest untested box on their off-season to-do list. While opening the wallets for Springer may have put Bauer out of the game, Toronto is still roughly $ 64 million below the competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold per roster resource. As Blue Jays radio station Mike Wilner notes above, this means the Blue Jays could be chasing one or more Tier 2 free agent starters like Jake Odorizzi, Taijuan Walker or James Paxton before the opening day.
Meanwhile, if the Blue Jays are indeed not bidding for Bauer, the Star Pitcher’s field could have been down to a few teams willing to give what it takes to sign it. The Mets and Dodgers have reportedly shown interest in high annual average and short-term deals, and the Angels have a clear hole on their rotation.
Mets believed in being a farmer
January 26th: A report from USA Today came out Tuesday that the Mets were poised to surpass Gerrit Coles’ average annual value of $ 36 million in a short-term deal for Bauer, but several reports have now denied it. According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Mets are likely interested and in the mix for the reigning NL Cy Young winner.
The Mets have Jacob deGrom at the head of their rotation, who struggled alongside the two-time Cy Young winner in 2020. The Mets’ 5.37 starter ERA was the fifth worst in baseball. Marcus Stroman, who didn’t turn up at 20, will be back, and the team took on Carlos Carrasco in a deal with the Indians. Noah Syndergaard will be back in mid-season after Tommy John’s surgery.
Report: Sharpen the focus on farmers
January 23: The Mets have significantly improved their depth of rotation in recent weeks by taking over right-handed Carlos Carrasco alongside shortstop Francisco Lindor from Cleveland and then south paw Joey Lucchesi from the Padres. The biggest pitching upgrade of all could still be in sight at Bauer, however, as MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal reports in The Athletic (subscription required).
“The Mets’ interest in Bauer is not new,” writes Rosenthal, “but sources said it has become more focused in recent days after the Blue Jays reached a six-year deal with free agent outfielder George Springer . ” , $ 150 million contract. “
The only obstacle between Bauer and the Mets could be the competitive balance tax (CBT) threshold of $ 210 million. The New York tax number is currently around $ 27 million below that threshold per roster resource, and the club could still look for an upgrade in the midfield. The Mets are also considering contract extensions for Lindor and outfielder Michael Conforto, who will both be free agents after this season.
Rosenthal speculates that the Mets, like the Dodgers, might prefer to sign Bauer into a short-term deal with a high average annual value. According to MLB Network Insider Jon HeymanOther teams have charged that Bauer prefers a longer deal, despite Agent Rachel Luba saying the right-hander is open to many different contract structures.
Heyman previously reported that the Mets might prioritize other free-agent targets, including center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., over Bauer. A potential target, utility Enrique Hernández, is said to have agreed to a two-year deal with the Red Sox on Friday.
Report: Engel ‘very active’ in starting the front – is Bauer her husband?
22nd of January: The Angels are reportedly one of the favorites in landing right-handed and reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer. And according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the new General Manager Perry Minasian says the club is “very active” in the starter mug market. Could a Bauer Deal be Imminent?
Angels GM Perry Minasian said the club is “very active” in adding more starting pitching.
– Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) January 23, 2021
Bauer reportedly wants to set an average annual wage record. The Angels recently added veteran left-hander José Quintana to the rotation but that is nowhere near enough to reverse the club’s weak link in recent years. With the clock ticking to Mike Trout’s prime, the Halos will have to prop up the starting staff to kick off a postseason – they haven’t hit the postseason since 2014.
These two teams look like favorites for Bauer
21th January: Any number of teams would benefit from hiring Bauer to lead their rotations. That includes the Blue Jays who could still think about the right handed, even after the landing of George Springer. This includes the defending champion Dodgers, who could be a player for pawns, depending on the type of contract he wants to order.
According to Mark Feinsand, executive reporter for MLB.com, none of these clubs appear to be favorites for Bauer’s services.
“Based on discussions with sources, the two teams believed to have the best shot at Bauer are the Mets and the Angels,” Feinsand wrote in his look at the free agent market on Thursday.
The Mets have already been one of the most active teams this offseason, including their trading for shortstop Francisco Lindor and right-handed Carlos Carrasco. But they missed Springer, who was considered a top offseason target, and raised the question of whether they’ll be returning to Bauer to mate with Jacob deGrom.
The angels probably have the greatest need for farmers as they want to return to the postseason for the first time since 2014. While he could sign the team, Feinsand could use more than $ 65 to suggest the team could break the competitive tax threshold of $ 210 million in 2021, should the million that should come off their books after this season Halos have long-term space for farmers.
Two other potential Bauer applicants?
January 20th: The reigning World Series champions could try to add a third ace to the mix in Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler. According to a Report by Jeff Passan of ESPNThe Dodgers oversee Bauer’s market and, depending on the price, could be in play as his market develops.
Another team to keep an eye on? The Blue Jays. Even after George Springer’s signature, according to a Reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The Blue Jays signed Hyun Jin Ryu last off-season but could still benefit from more stability and one more veteran in their rotation, along with young pitchers like Nate Pearson and Trent Thornton.
Will Toronto’s Steps Bring pawns to Halos?
January 20th: The Blue Jays’ hunt for a hitter this off-season has led them to George Springer, with the two sides staking a six-year deal on Tuesday night (according to sources). While more steps may be imminent, it stands to reason that the chances of Bauer ending up there now seem much smaller.
As MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan noted following the Springer deal, this turn of events could “bring the angels down”. It’s not just about the Blue Jays either. Other teams who were considered key players in the Bauer Sweepstakes have already made great strides, including the Padres, White Sox, Mets and Yankees. While this certainly doesn’t leave the angels as Bauer’s only suitor, it could position them as the one who needs him most.
The beginning of the pitching was a sore point for the club. The signing of a one-year contract by left-wing José Quintana Tuesday night (according to a source) is a move, but shouldn’t stop the Halos from tracking down Bauer.
Sources: Blue Jays in contact with Bauer, other top free agents
15. January: After falling short in the pursuit of DJ LeMahieu, the Blue Jays remain on the lookout for a sparkling acquisition and are still in contact with Bauer, George Springer and JT Realmuto, sources shared with MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi.
Sources: The #BlueJays Stay in touch with several top free agents – Trevor Bauer, JT Realmuto, and George Springer – after you fail from the DJ LeMahieu #Yankees. @MLBNetwork @MLB
– Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 15, 2021
Toronto has been tied to nearly every top name in the market this off-season, but its biggest acquisition to date is Robbie Ray (one year, $ 8 million) in early November. The club was reportedly runner-up for shortstop Francisco Lindor, who was traded on the Mets with Carlos Carrasco last week.
Bauer would give the Blue Jays rotation the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner as well as pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, who finished third in the American League last season. Toronto, Ryu signed a four-year, $ 80 million deal last off-season.
