While free-agent right-hander Trevor Bauer and center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. have frequently been connected to the Mets in recent weeks, no agreement appears imminent in either case. The club is “far apart” from deals with both of those players, Andy Martino of SNY says (video link). The race for Bauer could come down to the Mets and Dodgers, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, who adds that the Padres showed interest before acquiring Yu Darvish, Blake Snell and Joe Musgrove in separate trades. The Padres presented a three- to four-year offer to Bauer, but that “didn’t fly,” according to Heyman.
As for Bradley, the Mets are more focused on a short-term deal, whereas the 30-year-old may want a longer pact, Martino suggests. The longtime member of the Red Sox is clearly the top center fielder left on a market that lost George Springer to the Blue Jays last week, so he may be in better position to secure a large guarantee.
- Staying with the Mets, they will be in attendance for free-agent righty Jake Arrieta’s showcase on Friday, per Martino and Colin Martin of SNY. The former Cy Young winner disappointed with the division-rival Phillies from 2018-20, but Arrieta at least looks like a capable back-end starter at this point of his career. The Mets may have opened up a spot in their starting staff Wednesday when they traded lefty Steven Matz to the Blue Jays.
- Free-agent righty Jeff Samardzija will work out for the Cubs “at some point in the next few days,” Bruce Levine of 670 The Score writes. This could lay the groundwork for a reunion between Samardzija and the Cubs, with whom he pitched from 2008-14 before a trade to the Athletics. The 36-year-old was a solid starter for the Cubs and has typically done a good job in that role with multiple teams, though he’s a free agent at an inopportune time after managing a miserable 9.72 ERA/7.35 SIERA over 16 2/3 innings and four starts last season.
The shark would be a good 3/4 starter for Chicago no bullpen and back to starter the Cubs did to him his last time there
Shark is no longer a 3/4, he’s barely a #5. And at Wrigley he will serve up long balls that will drive Cubs fans nuts.
If 2020 is supposed to be ignored, he’s a #3 based on 2019.
2019 was a slight bump forward from 2018, but having watched him almost every time since he pitched for the Giants, I can tell you he’s done.
As a SP, probably.
Jeff is a horrible pitcher, dont waste our time- archer would be better
Yeah right. Not even Archer is better
They are both heavily overrated and have been for years.
I think Archer could get on track with the Angels. Mickey Calloway was a horrible manager, but the guy is a great pitching coach.
It’s nice to see the Angels out of the race for Bauer; they have bigger fish to fry right now… too soon?
Anyways… Oh, I also wanted to thank MLBTR for banning that last lolmets troll. I was fine with his trolling whenever it was just grammar and little crap like that, but when he began to make it personal, that’s when I felt obliged to say something. Thank you.
Bigger FISH to fry… Mike TROUT. I’m seeing a resemblance here.
Oh, I thought he was referring to Tim Salmon, the Angels former player.
I was thinking former color commentator Dick Bass.
The classic example was and old Cubs-Astros matchup: Steve Trout pitching, Steve Lake catching, and Kevin Bass hitting.
And I was thinking Jay Hook.
@yankeeclipper
hahahaha…that was a good blast from the past punchline!
We’re gonna have to watch out for his burner
Geez Angels fans, is it really that hard to figure out?
You have the best player of this generation. I dunno, call me crazy but wouldn’t it make sense to sign one of the top pitchers in the league and try to go deep in the playoffs? For once?
They don’t need to, Trout sells by himself and they locked him in for the rest of his non-playoff contending career. People will always want to see him, thus they will pay to see him; so there’s no incentive for their ownership to spend that kind of money to improve.
Wow. That might be the smartest thing anybody has ever said on one of these boards.
Here’s the thing, ownership spends a LOT of money around Trout. They just haven’t spent it intelligently
Claiming ownership is cheap here is just BS
Same with the Yankees. Too much inaccuracy about them being “cheap”. Management spends, but with the too-frequent wasteful spend such as Happ and Stanton. Teams win being under the cap all the time.
Deep in the playoffs? How about starting with just making the playoffs…
I thought he was talking about Anthony Bass. TOO LATE, ANGELS FANS!!!! He’s in Miami.
Can’t sign Bauer, or you won’t have enough money to extend Pujols. He’ll only be 42 when his contract expires.
100% agree with you here- Either give him a supporting cast or trade the man so he can perform in the playoffs.
Exactly!Arte makes promises to spend money.Then he signs Hamilton,Upton,Harvey,Wells,& etc etc etc.Arte has no eye for baseball players and he makes all the big decisions.Padres traded for 3 stud top of the rotation pitchers who can win every time they toe the rubber.Plus they mixed in Musgrave.Angels couldn’t outbid the Padres 1 time there! Pathetic
Good job, Karen!
I dont see LAD unless its a 1 yr 35 mill –
Price still on the hook for 15 next year and Kershaw will have to be attended too. I cant imagine the Pr of losing Kershaw for Bauer then him erupting on social media in the middle of a 4 yr deal about something. Urias and Buehler need to get paid as well down the line
I hope they pass completely
I would be very surprised to see the Dodgers sign Bauer. They don’t really need him, anyway. I think the Dodgers are mentioned regarding Bauer just for the sake of including the Dodgers in rumors, as is often the case, it seems.
All true C&C, excellent analysis. 1 year at an absurdly high figure is the only deal that makes sense for LAD.
1 year deal makes sense for many teams not just the Dodgers. It looks like the Mets are the only team Bauer has in a longer 4/5 year deal. My guess is he wouldn’t take a 2/3 year deal, if he wants to maximize his value long term. He most likely wouldn’t get a huge deal at 32/33 years of age.
@swing bat- Yes it does but Bauer’s made no secret himself he wants the Dodgers so Im sure all the offers would be right around 35 so he’d logically just chose them if it was on the table from LAD and he chose the 1 yr route
I’d take Bauer on a one or two year high AAV deal. I think it’s worth the risk as long as it is 2 years or less. Price and Kershaw may choose to go elsewhere after 2021 and 2022. And at this point you’d rather have the very high upside of Bauer over these two. Everyone keeps saying that the Dodgers don’t really need starting pitching. But at this point the Dodgers have one stud who had blister issues. One very good top of rotation pitcher who has had issues with his back in the past and is still in decline even though he had a very nice shortened season last year. One aging pitcher coming off a subpar season followed by an opt out season. One youngster who showed a lot but in somewhat limited innings who will be in his first season without the strict limitations. Meaning larger sample size. Two even less experienced pitchers who have shown a lot of promise but still too soon to fully trust them plus they will still be on strict limited innings. Bauer gives you a top of the rotation insurance. Albeit expensive insurance. Big 3 as good as anyone. All of a sudden #3-6 starters look even stronger.
I’d take Bauer on a 1-2 year low AAV contract. He’s the best free agent pitcher, but I would not be paying his price. No one else is bidding but the Mets!
I agree and see no way that Bauer fits into the Dodgers present or future. It’s mostly the price.
I suspect there might also be some questions from Friedman of his character, not in a really negative way but is he a god clubhouse guy & teammate?
But no way is he close to worth his asking price. I don’t see him as more than a $16M/yr guy….he has potential and I think if they could get a fair deal for both Bauer and the Dodgers it could be worth a shot.
Too many big contracts coming for the team in the next few years to commit so much to a guy with zero true proof of value yet.
That all said I like the guy for his candor and do sense he would be a fun teammate. Def would not be bummed for them to get him but not the expense of true stars and keeping the core…
The Shark seems to be a guppy now.
Nah, he’s just a nurse shark is all…. they can still nibble if they catch you the wrong way
It would seem Bauer’s personality is impacting his market. If the Dodgers are in i suspect they will have little competition especially if the Mets are content with a Jake Arrieta type as a stop gap til Thor is ready
Two very BIG ifs
can not count oh Thor. Anything he gives us is gravy. Might be a lot, might be nothing. WE’ll have to wait and have depth.
agree!
The Padres are going to get Bauer, aren’t they?
No, someone else will and then they will trade for him.
Yes Bauer will soon be a Padre one way or the other. No I don’t think this will really happen but this is this years Padres where anything can apparently happen
I’m glad the Angels passed on him. He is 30 with a career 3.90 ERA. They wasted so much money on other big names that just didn’t work out. I’m glad to see them learning their lesson.
I think they may have taken your point to an extreme….
I have to say I’d go about 3/75 or maybe 4/100 and that’s about it. I would never even approach a $30MM AAV let alone $36 or $37MM.
I don’t see how dodgers can afford bauer, turner and seager next year with bellinger in 3
I think if Bauer doesn’t lower his price he will be doing alot of Youtubing this summer
He likes to hear himself talk so I don’t think he would mind.
Somebody out there will sign him. He’s too talented to sit on his rump when a team could use his services to make a playoff run
I have to say I’d go about 3/75 or maybe 4/100 and that’s about it. I would never even approach a $30MM AAV let alone $36 or $37MM.
I think Bauer might have made a mistake by waiting for a perfect offer. I don’t see the Mets or the Dodgers signing him, as they both have good rotations and players that are about to get expensive due to arbitration/free agency. A mystery team could certainly jump in, but it seems to me that he doesn’t have a clear fit right now.
Bauer and Puig should start a team in the Land of Misfit Toys.
Add Bauer to the Giants, and they are a playoff caliber team.
Lol
Did they move to the central?
Re. Bauer & the Giants: Let’s not and say we did. The big mistake was not signing Quintana for 2/3 years.
Shark will be a cub again. The fans love him cuz he’s a local hero, I just hope he doesn’t let them down by pitching poorly. What is the Cubs rotation right now?
I actually like Arrieta to the Mets. I think if he healhthy he can still bring something to the game. The occasional ace performance followed by lots of 4th starter performances.
And having him instead of Matz with a decent bullpen behind him (as opposed to his time in Philly) could prove a great move. One of those ones that flies under the radar till the end of it the season when the Mets are right there for a playoff spot and Arrieta gets them there. You never know. Either way if he looks good the Mets should get him. I’m sure he’s down for the opportunity on a good team rather than to make a bunch of money.
Arrieta would do more in Chicago than anywhere else.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Red Sox take a flier on Arrieta though my guess is they won’t. I suppose they do now have a “full rotation” and I’d obviously rather have Richards than Arrieta but Arrieta still has the potential to be an above average SP and should come relatively cheap. Of course he could also be nothing more than a backend of the rotation guy at this point and if that’s the case I suppose the Sox don’t really have use for another guy like that. My interest would be based on how he looks in his workout/showcase and if there seems to be any potential of him returning to form a little bit, obviously not quite back to when he was a CY candidate but maybe to a guy who could provide 175+ IP of 3.75-4.00 ERA ball. Though at this point in his career and given his recent struggles that might be wishful thinking.
I honestly thought there was no way the Dodgers would land Bauer even though I really wanted them to. But now, it seems like there’s actually a chance they do get him. Not sure how likely it is but there is at least a chance they get him. I know most Dodgers fans like to tease the Padres fans but what they’ve done with their roster is actually impressive and does worth me a little bit. They have some hitters and a good rotation. I expect Muncy and Bellinger to bounce back so I do think the Dodgers have a way more dealt lineup and their pitching is good but Kershaw is getting older and injuries are popping up more often, don’t know what to expect from Price although I think he will be really good. It would be nice to add Bauer to that rotation, especially if Price is gone after this season and Kershaw is another year older
The Dodgers are loaded with young talent that figures to get better. They can improve without adding players from outside the organization.
You know what’s funny? Bauer is definitely reading these message boards, possibly even posting and arguing he’s worth the money.
Well if he has good advisors, they’ve adamantly told him not to read MLB message boards. That probably is good advice for many players, but especially Bauer.
Trevor May has a huge online presence too, seems to be just as arrogant too.
No peep about him. Wonder if its because he’s not asking for a ridiculous contract?
Is it something about the name Trevor?
Neither Shark nor Arrieta are good enough for a competitive team. They are almost certain to have so/so or bad seasons. Good teams need high floors or significant upside types.
Don’t understand the allure of JBJ. Good defensive center fielder who can’t hit, dime a dozen. Huge ruse on Scott Boras’ part. Hope the Mets make that mistake.
Bauer has to buckle down and workout a contract strategy with the teams willing to sign him for large numbers either short high AAV or longer high total value. He’s giving them the option to pitch both types of offer and that prevents him from getting the best version of either.
Realistically he’s going to LAA, LAD or NYM on at least a 4 or 5 year deal. The sooner he realizes this the better as far as getting a deal done is concerned. That forces him to decide where he’ll be happy to pitch. Once they get that far hell probably pivot to a more typical 7 or 8 year deal since he’ll realize that he won’t have as much control of his destiny after only a 5 year deal
Of all people, you really think Bauer would just now consider a “strategy”. It’s Jan. 29,, if his agents have not already briefed him on a game plan, they would not be employed by him or anyone lol
Bauer is overrated. He had 1 good year pitching in the worst division and the American central. He is a 500 pitcher at best with a lifetime era around 4
When we are at the point where articles are pointing to Jake Arrieta and Jeff Samardzija being legitimate back of the rotation major league options it is time to have the discussion about eliminating 3 or 4 teams from Major League Baseball. Clearly the talent pool is not big enough to support the number of teams currently in the Major League when Arrieta and Samardzija are still rotation options.
Dodgers. Yawn. Must be nice when money is no object.
Bauer had that incident a couple years ago, in which he harassed a 17-year old girl online after some kind of insult or slight from her. He clearly has issues controlling his emotions. What he did is pretty unheard of from a pro athlete.
I would not want him on more than a two year contract, and he’s not on the level as a pitcher that the hype indicates. I understand he’s the best pitcher in this free agent class but he doesn’t have the numbers, age and disposition to make a huge, long-term contact wise.
I’ve never been a big Samardzija fan, mostly because his reputation and contract exceeded his results. The Giants were paying him nearly $20M a year, and I’m still not sure how that happened. That aside, I’m surprised he hasn’t received more interest if his arm is healthy. I know he dealt with a shoulder impingement last season, but he seemed to have successfully rehabbed from that by season’s end. If there’s one core skill I’d attribute to Samardzija, it’s that he’s an innings eater. Six out of seven seasons, from 2013-19, he started 30+ games and was pretty much a lock for 200 innings. I can’t think of any season where that capability might be more valued than 2021, when every team is going from 60 games to potentially 162 again. Teams are going to need extra starters to spread workload. Teams could do worse that slotting Samardzija in at 4/5 and riding him for 180 innings to protect some of your more valuable starters by giving your bullpen a rest. Historically he’s an innings eater. Is the arm healthy? I’d take a look at adding him. This is the most glowing review I’ve ever written about him as a MLB pitcher!
Shark’s days are over. He’s awful.
sn0048 – citation please
Does Bauer demand accountability from Steve Cohen before he’d sign with NYM ? Host on 66 CBS radio is calling out Cohen right now.
No to Arrieta and The Shark.
Been there, done that.
They’re too long in the tooth.
Rodon and Folty are significantly younger.
Perhaps they would be better options to fill out the rotation.
I find it hard to believe that the Dodgers will sign Bauer – unless Price is not pitching and looks like he is. It is a matter of math. They are about 4 million under the luxury tax now. They sign Turner for say 14 million and that puts them 10 million over the tax.. They are highly unlikely to get Bauer on a short deal for 30 AAV million or less. And anything over 30 million puts the Dodgers over 40 million above the luxury tax which means….they drop 10 spots in draft. That’s the bigger penalty to the Dodgers than just paying the tax for a year. And I don’t see anywhere they can dump salary at this point – not this off-season at least! Caveat: Friedman seems to always have something up his sleeve.
I can understand taking a hardline to stay under the luxury tax, especially if a team has been over for two or more seasons and are looking at escalating penalties. That’s why the Yankees seem to be taking a hardline this year as the Red Sox did the prior year. That doesn’t apply to the Dodgers. They’ve reset their tax, so they’ll be paying at the lowest rate. If they go over with Turner, they might as well go all in with Bauer. They have low payroll commitments in the coming seasons so they can dip right back under.
…and, yes, tripping the second threshold brings greater penalties. They might try a LeMahieu type deal with Turner if it can help them balance payroll now.
Dodgers been kickin the can down the road with the CBT line since they had to money dump Puig/Kemp to Cincy
The pollock/kelley/jansen contracts really hurt today and are a reminder that every contract/detail/dollar matter – I never understood who we were bidding against with Pollock and Kelley
Friedmans awesome, but hes made mistakes that many fans wont admit – The good part is he seems to learn from each one a little bit
I have a hard time seeing Bauer getting along with a large city media corps, like NY. But then only the larger markets have the money to pay him. It’s a double edged sword, I guess. He just seemed perfect for a Cleveland/Cincinnati size market
Baurer to The Pads,! LETS GO!
Samardzija had a strong season in 2019…11-12 with a 3.92 ERA. Seems like he would be worth a look.
Please no. Stay as far away as possible from Samardzija. Most overrated pitcher in the last 10 years. I wouldn’t even want him on a Double A minor league deal.
well, maybe a pitching coach change could lead the Angels to being interested in Bauer now- and vice versa. interesting timing.
I came here just to see someone else notice this. Watch it happen now.
I’m a Met fan. Yes,I would have liked them to sign Bauer.They tried,but were unsuccessful.I can’t blame Bauer for choosing the Dodgers,his hometown team.But if the Mets had signed him,their salary cap situation would be awful.With contract extensions soon on the horizon for Conforto,,Thor,and others,they would not be able to keep everyone.They would also lose a draft pick
At least we now have a front office willing to spend like never before.Congrats,Dodgers!
He would be a 5th starter for the Cubs but magic can return he Chicago and Notre Dame is Chicago west ask the Bear’s