According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, the New York Mets have made a sizable offer to free-agent right-hander Trevor Bauer hoping to secure his services for 2021 and possibly beyond.
Per the report:
“[The Mets] have formally offered [Bauer] a contract that would make him baseball’s highest-paid player based on an annual average salary”, Nightengale wrote, per source. “The deal would eclipse New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole‘s $36 million [AAV] on his nine-year, $324 million contract signed a year ago, but would be much shorter in length.”
Nightengale adds that New York “made the aggressive over in recent weeks, and have since stayed in contact with Bauer”, confirming reports throughout the weekend of continued discussions revolving around the 30-year-old reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.
Bauer’s off-field baggage is certainly on the team’s mind. Nightengale confirms “while the offer [to Bauer] still stands, one team official cautioned that the Mets still are evaluating all aspects of Bauer’s strong social media presence”.
Shortly after Nightengale’s story was published, Jon Heyman of MLB Network and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com rebutted the report of a record-deal being offered but both noted continued interest on New York’s part.
Over 11 starts in 2020, Bauer pitched to an NL-leading 1.73 ERA with 100 strikeouts, 17 walks, and 0.79 WHIP, leading him into free agency with a head full of steam.
Whether his at-times problematic social media presence affects that momentum figures to be determined in short order.
We will keep you posted as this story develops.
