Position: Pitcher
Bats/Throws: R/R
Age: 29
Traditional Stats: 69 G, 73 IP, 1.73 ERA, 0.795 WHIP, 100 K, 12.3 K/BB, 1.1 HR/9
Advanced Stats: 0.3 fWAR, 2.7 bWAR, 2.88 FIP, 276 ERA+
It’s no secret that free agent pitcher Trevor Bauer likes to talk the talk. From chirping his opponents, to constantly criticizing Major League Baseball’s approach to growing the game (which is justifiable), Bauer is often making headlines.
He has even been flirting with several teams ahead of free agency this winter, but all in good fun.
While this aspect isn’t great for those hoping he comes to New York, the guy has been lights out on the mound and it’s hard to argue with results.
Following a stellar 2020 campaign, Bauer is currently a National League Cy Young candidate and has become one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.
In 11 starts, Bauer led the NL with an ERA of 1.73. He also allowed the least amount of hits per nine (5.1), and was second in the league with a 0.795 WHIP, and third in strikeouts (100).
Bauer has vast postseason experience making seven career starts in October and pitching in the World Series for the Cleveland Indians in 2016.
Despite his club’s first round exit this year, Bauer took the mound for the Cincinnati Reds and shut down the high powered Atlanta Braves offense across seven and two-thirds innings while striking out 12 batters in his lone start.
As long as he can continue to back it up every five days, Bauer would seemingly make an ideal co-ace to back-to-back Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom.
After losing Noah Syndergaard (Tommy John surgery) and Marcus Stroman (opt out) in a year where Zack Wheeler walked in free agency, the Mets’ pitching staff was a wreck past deGrom and rookie David Peterson.
Ultimately, the backend of the rotation, along with the bullpen lacked consistency and wound up being a disastrous focal point in the team’s failure to make the postseason.
With Steve Cohen on the way in, fixing the rotation must be a top priority and Bauer is arguably the best on the market.
The right-hander is turning 30-years-old in January and will be entering his 10th season in the league in 2021.
Bauer is trying to make the game fun with his animated post strikeout celebrations, which includes an impersonation of the Connor McGregor strut.
Mets fans will certainly be having fun if he decides to play in Queens as long as he continues to dominate hitters like he has been doing.
Contract
Bauer made $17.5 million in the final year of his deal with the Reds in 2020. He put up Cy Young worthy numbers, which will earn him a substantial raise as a result.
Right now, Bauer’s future deal is projected to hover around the $25 million range annually. Something like four-years $100 million might do the trick for a team looking to sign him.
Recommendation
Yes, the Mets should go after him aggressively. Under new ownership with deep pockets and a weak rotation, Steve Cohen must go hard for Bauer in order to upgrade the pitching staff and get this team back in the postseason.
