The Mets were one of the two finalists in the Trevor Bauer sweepstakes, but the Cy Young-winning right-hander wound up spurning the club for the Dodgers’ three-year, $102MM guarantee Friday. The Mets made a very competitive offer, though, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that they proposed a deal worth $105MM over three years. New York would have paid Bauer $40MM in 2021, $35MM in 2022 and $30MM in 2023, and the contract would have included opt-out chances after the first two seasons, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, who adds that the Mets would have included $5MM had Bauer opted out after the second year.
Bauer’s Dodgers deal also features a pair of opt-outs, and it likely didn’t help the Mets’ cause that he is a Southern California native who said in the past he wanted to play in Los Angeles. The Dodgers are the reigning World Series champions, which further stacked the deck against a Mets club coming off four straight years without a playoff berth.
The Mets have made a real effort to change their fortunes this winter, largely because of new owner Steve Cohen. So far, the team has used trades and free agency to add Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, James McCann and Trevor May to its roster. A Bauer signing would have made the Mets even more imposing going into 2021, but they’ll have to either enter the season with the starters they have in place or acquire someone for a far less expensive salary.
swinging wood
In before the #LolMets brigade.
cards04
In before the Mets fans who wanted Bauer previously are going to say how it’s a bad contract now and how he has such a bad personality.
Cosmo2
Mets fan here. You got most of it right. Terrible contract, awful personality, but I never ever wanted him. Glad he went somewhere else.
mets1536
People don’t seem To Realize That he pitched his whole Career in The LOUSY CENTRAL DIVISION…..
swinging wood
The Diamondbacks play in the Central division?
One Bite Hotdog
2 different central divisions
vinnie
I think is better for the Mets
Asfan0780
I’m pretty sure if he signed there, your opinion would change lol
Cosmo2
@Asfan07… nope my opinion wouldn’t change. He’s too inconsistent , I hate stupid overpays and he’s a jerk.
Orel Saxhiser
Why do you think he’s a jerk? Because he’s not like everyone else?
A_Cespedes_For_The_Rest_Of_Us
How about because he harasses women on twitter and tries to sick his pos fans on them when. He perceives a slight? Bauer is a scum bag and the fact that the mets even made an offer after Mickey and Porter is despicable…
stugots
He only pitch 16inn with diamondbacks. Rest are in the central between two leagues
giantsphan12
@tipsy, agreed. It will also be interesting how Bauer and Mookie mesh. Bauer craves the attention and after just one season, Mookie is a clubhouse leader and emerging face of the franchise. Bauer may not play well with that dynamic (“play” as in jive, not actual quality of play/pitching)
kahnkobra
exactly
playball6000
Ditto that. Never wanted him based on so many reasons. “Breathing a sigh of relief.”
playball6000
True.
Yankee Clipper
Misogyny, Tipsy? Please, go away, moron. Yeah, I’m sure his wealthy female agent is shouting from the rooftops how he’s held her down through his paternalistic free agency approach.
Take your outdated SJW useless BS and go to a website that wants it. You convince no one.
And I don’t even like Bauer! He’s got the initials of a disease! At least he’s not a fake, like you.
xtraflamy
hey Yankee Clipper – cut it out with the name calling. Find a better way to get your message across.
DODGER JR
Yet you are probably a big Robinson Cano fan right?
bauertothemuttslolz
@xtraflamy what are you, his mother? Mind your own business grandma!
mlbdodgerfan2015
Hmm. Let’s see. Mookie provides an elite bat, speed and glove. I don’t know about you but as a pitcher you usually love those guys. Pretty sure he’s going to love Bellinger too when he tracks down line drives in the gap that should have gone for doubles.
MarkoRock68
Cyber bullying and stalking a girl for an entire weekend on twitter is a qualifier for the jerk mantle.
cubsnomore
The Cubs made it to the NLCS 3 years in a row. The Cards are always in the mix. The Brewers didn’t suck in some recent years either.
its_happening
For those who care, college girl started in on Bauer after he went after the Astros and Bregman, her favourite player. She started it, he finished it whether you liked his methods or not.
Seen many of you trash the Astros, literally, on this site. Pretend someone defended them and went after you for a comment. How would you react?
Or is everyone calling Bauer a cyberbully and misogynist closet fans of what the Astros did?
gtb1
Maybe. But don’t players think he’s a jerk too? Talented jerk.
its_happening
gtb I’m sure there are plenty of jerks in baseball and other sports. And plenty of good people.
1984wasntamanual
SJWs don’t care about logic, if they did, they’d see they’re just projecting.
1984wasntamanual
What are you even talking about?
InPolesWeTrust
Cool kid alert. Hey you don’t agree with me so I’m gonna trash your opinion. Good luck bud.
Marcus Graham
Seems like a lot of internet posters hate women. Its a common theme
66TheNumberOfTheBest
1984 is a great book.
It’s warning of a bleak, totalitarian future where people who are racist and/or sexist jerks suffer consequences for being racist and/or sexist jerks.
Orwell knew that there would come a scary day when dbags would no longer be able for force others to listen to their inane BS.
Frightening times, indeed.
Good thing you pretend to have read it.
Cosmo2
Ugh. He cyber-stalked a young woman. Look it up and tell me you are ok with that. It’s absurd that some folks pretend he got a bad rap.
Cosmo2
WereAllJustGuests: are you kidding? You say: “he finished it whether you like his methods or not.” So you condone that behavior? That’s messed up dude, very messed up. And your Astros point makes no sense.
OIC2021
I am glad Bauer trolled you Mets and Blue Jay fans in his announcement video. Trevor Bauer has earned the right through his hard work to pitch wherever he wants. I’m really thinking Steve Cohen backed away since he lost his shirt on the GameStop stock episode.
Doral Silverthorn
It’s social media, cupcake. Be offended by something that matters.
VegasSDfan
Yankee clipper, reading your tone makes you look like an angry loser.
Cosmo2
Look up what he actually did. It’s horrific. And not how a decent person behaves anywhere, even social media. In case you didn’t know, cyber-bullying is a thing and… ugh never mind, whatever.
Yankee Clipper
And what does your make you look like then, sir? And in text, [when you grow up you’ll learn this], tone is difficult to discern, so anger may not be the correct emotion, and in this case, it isn’t. Saying someone hates women because of one incident like that is completely irrational.
koos
+1
DoritosLocosTaco
Projecting much?
Yankee Clipper
Yeah Saber, my point is proven in your offense. My point is that they aren’t manly enough to make the statement in person so instead of getting offended, try understanding the meaning behind it. Instead, you take it literally to jump on the bandwagon too. Go away and stay out of this. It’s been ongoing for a while, from their extremist group and many are tired of it. So, because your affiliated politically, try learning the background. You assume I’m conservative, but the reality is, you don’t know a thing about me or my politics. This is from other discussions, so again, go away. Not for you, not at you, not at your friends. If the board were just baseball, these guys would’ve stopped long ago but that’s only said when someone responds to them. How is misogynistic accusations baseball related? It’s not.
Yankee Clipper
**you’re / ** are
Warrior on, my offended friend, warrior on. I shall call you the Lollipop Gang, ya cute little bunch of board bullies…. But I won’t bow down and acquiesce to your social/cultural accusations. You posit tolerance from a position of intolerance.
its_happening
Cosmo – you do not believe in equality. That wasn’t a question.
You condone her behaviour? You condone her defense of cheating? You condone what the Astros did? It makes no sense to you because you choose to ignore the real story.
Astros cheated, Bauer called it out, girl called him out, he responded. And you want to spread ridiculously false crap.
Are YOU kidding?
DoritosLocosTaco
Doritos are actually corn product.
I was not aware of the previous thread. All I see is an angry poster insulting people. Not saying something to you would be approving of your behavior, and I do not approve of your behavior.
SimonSwings
Clip’s new thesaurus is paying dividends, baby!
Dock_Elvis
It was irresponsible to react like he did given his place.
its_happening
Perhaps Dock. That part is reasonable to say about Bauer. But the over the top outrage by people over the incident is very short sighted. They would’ve cyberbullied if they were in the same position. They literally do it on this site and even on this thread. Hypocrisy.
SoCalBrave
When you’re punching down, you are the bully. Doesn’t matter how it started.
fishy14
Yea cause man that nl east past few years was Ramos batting cleanup for Mets for a while
Marlins man loaded with talent
VonPurpleHayes
@Cosmo2 Let’s not be hypocrital here. Jose Reyes was welcomed back to the Mets with open arms after choke-slamming his wife. I’m not saying what Bauer did was right, but it pales in comparison to what other Mets players have done. And I’m not calling out the Mets here. Just the hypocrisy of fans.
Cosmo2
A famous rich man harassed a girl because she criticized him as a player. Harassing her to the point she feared for her safety. And somehow you equate this with the Astros cheating? That’s insane. Not only do you condone a famous rich man harassing a young female but in doing so you bring up the Astros cheating, which I never mentioned. Ridiculous. Absurd. So no one can ever judge bad behavior until everyone condemns the Astros? That’s not how morality works and frankly I find your views, your lack of argumentation skills and especially your lack of concern for a female who was severely harassed to be sickening.
DoritosLocosTaco
You seem very ready to move on. Also, you called me a potato chip. At least get it right and call me a corn chip. I did not make any assumptions there.
Cosmo2
@Von: Mets never should have taken Jose back. Nothing hypocritical here. I’m giving my view… the actual Mets will have to speak for themselves.
No1metsfan69
Diamonbacks are in the N.L. West.
DoritosLocosTaco
Glad you think it’s better to harass a teenage girl who can’t fight back. Real role model here.
VonPurpleHayes
@Cosmo fair. Mets also welcomed Familia back and he’s still on their roster. Bauer essentially cyber bullied a fan who cyber bullied him. If you want to call him a jerk for that, you have every right to, but the Mets (and sadly every other team) have far worse offenders on their roster.
DoritosLocosTaco
You need help, man.
its_happening
Being rich and famous suddenly matters? Good, you prove you don’t believe in equality. Your logic tells me you want women to get 90% in a divorce.
I find your views pathetic. This female started in on Bauer. If she doesn’t want a Twitter battle then get off Twitter. You lack insight. Figure out life before you ignorantly try to pick at me. Logic has passed you by.
danjziegler
There’s no silver medal in the #metoo Olympics
Cap & Crunch
There is quite a bit of irony accusing him of misogynism when he’s got the youngest female agent in the game doing big things for him today
Hes not necessarily my cup of tea but cmonnnn lets save the big spades for when they are needed
cecildawg
Cosmo2 – And he always says such nice things about you!
rct
@Cap & Crunch: The ‘he can’t be a misogynist because he has a female agent!!!!!’ defense is lazy and pathetic, akin to ‘I can’t be racist, I have a black friend!!!!’.
That said, I don’t think Bauer is a misogynist or remotely close to one. He can just be a extreme jerk sometimes. He harassed that poor teenage girl on Twitter, and for that, he’s a colossal a-hole, not a misogynist.
Rangers29
Lmao, Bauer has been great for the past 3 and a half years, but now you’re gonna see the Mets’ lovers sit there and say that he was trash lol.
Good move L.A, and I really don’t care about the price.
Metsfan42632
I wanted him and I think he’s a very talented pitcher. But to say he’s been great for 3 and half years is a bit of a stretch. He’s been up and down. One not so great season followed by a great one since 2017. I wish him and the Dodgers the best and hope the Mets will spread the money out they were gonna use on him to fill other needs. Kind of hoping we could sign Turner for 3rd. But I think he will end up back with the Dodgers.
whynot 2
Under what metrics could anyone qualify his performance in 2019 as a great season? It is possible he has found his stride and will pitcher close to his 2020 performance (stranger thing have happened) but he is more likely to a pitcher somewhere those two extremes, which is not worth being such a large percentage of any teams payroll
Anthony Princeton
Bauer was great in 2018 and 2020. However, this past season 10 of his 11 starts came against 5 of the 12 worst hitting teams in MLB based on wRC+. The one good team he faced was the White Sox who were ranked 6th in across MLB.
He also had an unsustainable .215 BABIP. His career BABIP is .294 and even in 2018 it was still .297. Bauer has been mostly average to slightly above average over his career. It does hel that his 2 best seasons, one shortened came in the last 3 years.
MikeD26
461 innings
144 era+
11k/9
Better than Kershaw and buehler for the las 3 years, now he is going to a better team,better defense, better offense and pitchers friendly ballpark , the guy is durable. I will bet he has a better year in 2021 than Kershaw or any Met’s pitcher not name Degrom
Rangers29
He’s his stats from the first game after the All-star break in 2017 to 2020 (3 and a half years):
3.07 ERA; 3.42 FIP; 3.66 xFIP; .287 BABIP; 11 K/9; 2.92 BB/9; 88.3 EV; 1.05 HR/9.
Those are really solid, sustainable numbers. Are they worth 40 mil a year? No. Does his contract get inflated on a shorter deal? Yes. Is he being over paid? Imo, yes, but that’s because of good work by his agent, plus the nature of the short term deal. He’s not that overpaid.
Oh and btw, he has NEVER had an injury in his career. He is durable.
Cosmo2
He was pretty bleh in ‘19 and ‘17… not sure what stats you’re looking at but if he duplicates either one of those next year and he’ll be amongst the most truly overpaid players out there.
Rangers29
“not sure what stats you’re looking at”… If you’d like to know, it’s fangraphs: fangraphs.com/players/trevor-bauer/12703/game-log?…
And during his outlier of a 2019 season, he still managed to outperform his ERA in all of the advanced metrics like SIERRA, xFIP, and FIP which said he was a lower 4 ERA pitcher instead of a mid 4 ERA pitcher. He also still managed to have a 3.3 WAR. Not only that, but the big things were his increased HR/9 and BB/9. His HR/9 was outrageous in 2019 compared to the rest of his career. In 19′ his HR/9 was 1.44! His next highest total was 1.28 in 2017 (yes, he technically had his highest total in 2013, but he played 5 games that season as well). I can suspect the main culprit for the high jump in HR/9 in 2019 though (emphasis on 19′)… I think you can as well. As for the BB/9, it was 3.46 in 19′. Not as outrageous as his HR/9, but an outlier nonetheless. So the juiced ball plus being traded mid-season is what I’ll chalk up his 2019 to, and through all that he still managed to be a dang good pitcher.
MrMudd
@Rangers
In what Fantasy world are you Living in where Bauer has never had an injury? You must be New to the game Bud cause I can think of at least two instances off the top of my head.
Rangers29
I’d rephrase it, but I’m not sure how. He has gotten injured; you’re right, but it was never his fault for health reasons. Like getting hit with a come-backer or slicing his finger with a drone… How do you phrase that! lol
Ok, he has never gotten an injury because of his routine? Idk how to phrase it, but you get my point.
bauertothemuttslolz
Your point is that you have no point. As usual. Maybe Bauer had a dream to play high school baseball, and to try weal weal hard to be a big baseball star! Yay! I bet he actually played baseball instead of living in a comment section all day everyday. Also I bet he was actually a teenager, not a catfish!
brucebochyisthemarlboroman
There was the infamous drone incident but I recall him pitching with blood pouring down his hand. Which was awesome.
differentbears
No, just no. Bauer has not been “better than Kershaw” for the last three years. Has he been as good? When averaged, yes. But Kershaw has had two of his “worst” years in 2018 and 2019, and the highest ERA he had was 3.03 in 2019. Meanwhile Bauer has had two really good years (one in a 60 game season), and one awful year.
Kershaw, 2018-20: lower WHIP (-0.103), lower ERA (-0.40), better ERA+, lower BB/9 by nearly half (1.8 vs. 3.0).
Bauer strikes out more guys, but even as Kershaw isn’t quite the putaway pitcher he used to be, he still had a 9.2 K/9 in the timespan you chose. Bauer is more durable, but Kershaw is not pushed to pitch with injuries, the Dodgers have put a focus on health over numbers, with Kershaw likely skipping starts he could and would have made in the past. No reason to risk his health long-term (and the team’s chances in October) for a regular season start..
But again, no, Bauer has not been better than Kershaw the last three years. As good as Kershaw would be high praise enough.
differentbears
Now, let’s do Walker Buehler vs. Trevor Bauer:
Lower ERA (-0.15), lower WHIP (-0.114), lower BB/9 (2.1 vs 3.0), lower FIP (-0.22). A lot of their other stats are essentially a wash, with Buehler losing out slightly on K/9 rate (10.3 vs. 11.2), and Buehler having a slightly lower H/9 (6.9 vs. 7.0).
Don’t be surprised when the Dodgers run Trevor Bauer out in Game 3 of their 2021 NLDS matchup, with Buehler and Kershaw going 1-2. They’re paying Bauer a lot of money, but right now he’s the 3 on this team, albeit potentially a third ace if he pitches like they’re paying him to. And as long as Kershaw is healthy, he’s the opening day starter.
flmetfan
Any stats on those great three years?
carlos15
Never? He missed the last month of his best season in Cleveland with an injury
Cosmo2
Bottom line, he was average to below average in the two bleh years. You can post a bunch of peripherals to try to say otherwise but he just hasn’t been consistently great. You’re really gonna contend he was great in those years? There’s just no real argument for it.
OIC2021
Yeah, on the Indians he was a droner.
VegasSDfan
@ranger basement the show prospect
Mentioning that he has never had an injury is a dangerous omen to mention. It’s like bring up a No hitter during a game.
DarkSide830
2019 isnt concerning at all to you?
Lurking
Even his 2019 “down year” equals out to about a dozen bad starts
So since mid 2017, aside from 12 starts, he’s been one of the most elite arms in the game. La will take the risk they can fix him if he hits a dry spell. Really tho, he’s been at his best since his coaches STOPPED telling him what to do
stlcards0911
He sucked in 19, and really only had one “great” season before that… he’s never even been the best pitcher on his own team prior to last year…. Sonny Grey was a lot better in 19, and Kluber was the guy with the Indians, and had he stayed with the Indians until free agency that still wouldn’t be the case as Bieber is a BEAST…. for as good as Bauer was during 2020 he could just as easily give you a 4.50 ERA next year I mean we’ve seen it… Mets fans should be happy that you got Carrasco because he honestly if healthy could give you just as much production as Bauer…
the14thdoctor
Actually, I’d say the majority of fans didn’t want him at all. Personally, I did, but I was certainly in the minority. I’m not going to say he’s “trash” because he’s not here. It definitely would have been an overpay, though. Not my money, I know, but I’m aware that everyone has budget constraints.
joeyrocafella
Lot of Mets haters out there. Calm down and worry about your team. The Mets will be just fine
Loling @ you
Still don’t like the length or the amount but guess we will have to see what other moves dodgers make to offset some salary.
VegasSDfan
@Titsumsma Why do you care about offsetting salary?
mlbdodgerfan2015
It’s a one year or two year deal depending which year he opts out. I love the length, and the high amount is reflective of the short term nature of the contract.
debubba
He is making nearly the amount of the Cleveland Indians entire roster.
violentdreams11
suck ass Mets
slidepiece
Mets… Still a playoff team… and you never know what happens in the playoffs. The Dodgers made the dance without bagging the prom queen several times before last year.
The Mets will be fine. Roll the dice and go get Paxton and Odorizzo.
violentdreams11
trust me u don’t want Paxton I’ma Yankee fan and whenever he pitched well ya knew there would be 3 to 4 bad starts to follow
ftasports
The Mets are a playoff team until mid April.
violentdreams11
lol agree haha
Orel Saxhiser
Bagging the prom queen? Do you by chance work in the Mets’ classy front office?
violentdreams11
yes I do how could u tell
Yankee Clipper
Cey Hey! How dare you?! They only send pics, they bag no one, sir!
pinstripes17
everyone says the mets are a playoff team in February, and then the season starts and its the same old Lolmets!
joeyrocafella
Clever comment
tony2bags
Are Dodgers hands off with things like his normal warmup routine? The floppy pole and long toss stuff? Just curious how he is integrated.
Rangers29
Tbf a lot of pitchers have implemented the pitching q-tip or “floppy pole” or whatever you want to call it into their routines. The same goes for long toss. If he says that he likes the new-aged thinking of the Dodgers, then I’d imagine that he’s still allowed to do what has led to him never having an injury in his career.
tony2bags
Sounds like a good fit then. I remember reading, ages ago, the D-backs not agreeing with his “antics” so it’s good he is somewhere that he can train without doubt.
Rangers29
Yep, he didn’t like their org for that reason. Good call.
He definatley does fit there though, and I bet tons of success will come from it.
jopeness
He was on the R2C2 podcast in, I think Feb 2020. I did come to like him more when you get to hear him talk first hand, and obviously with CC there he’s not going to try to throw out any BS. I’ve come to like/respect quite a few players just from listening to that podcast. I’d recommend it.
tony2bags
Interesting. Huge podcaster but hadn’t heard of that one. Thanks for the heads up
jopeness
there have been like 3 variations. originally it was a subset of the players tribute, then R2C2, which was first UNINTERRUPTED, then now it’s the ringer or something. it depends on what software you use for the feeds it may differ.
lasershow45
Called a BodyBlade. And pitchers have been using those for years. It help loosen up and strengthen the shoulder. Willing to bet the Dodgers have 50 of them in the clubhouse/weight room
Lurking
Kershaw has done long toss since his rookie year. They let the guys decide
Rangers29
He would’ve fit into this team so well, but the truth is that he just loves living the SoCal life. Geography actually played a factor in this decision. *I just got reminded of Anthony Rendon when I said that…* Oh and BTW, LOLANGELS.
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
Last time I checked the Angels, as terrible as they are, were better than the Rangers….
Rangers29
People never learn… Stating one thing doesn’t negate another thing.
Anywho, I’d like to show you something… These are the Angels and Rangers payroll trackers for 2021 (you can see their complete 26 man roster payroll at the top). One team’s number is waaay bigger than the other team’s number, and one of those teams is gonna be raking in good draft picks for the next two years while the other will be stuck in middle with an expensive roster and no playoffs because they can’t pitch. Guess which is which:
Team 1: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FsmsUpbOz2RsyxdPSM…
Team 2: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1anXbV-uZY8xKIm4t7n…
User 2802304835
guess which team doesn’t have the GOD-KING David Fletcher
Rangers29
Don’t hurt me master; for I have sinned.
MarkoRock68
2016 ALDS opponents. Who would you rather be now Jays or Rangers. Kid you have no room to throw shade on anyone with how badly the Rangers are run.
pinstripes17
The Angels are a joke, they surround the best player in the game with washed up Justin Upton and Dexter Fowler in the of and sign no quality pitchers for the millionth offseason in a row. Free Trout, he deserves much better than this.
tdotjays
OK, these details all but confirm that the Mets got played hard by Bauer and Luba. However, Mets fans, I think it was for the better…dodged a bullet here.
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
Agreed. Bauer is unpredictable
raisinsss
If anything, it was LAD who got played.
Balk
I wouldn’t pay a #3 starter that much money, but hey, I’m not the owner of the Dodgers either. Bauer pitched a shortened season against the same people for his part of 60 games. Which gave him a sample size era for 2020. Bet if he pitched his part of 162 his numbers and contract wouldn’t reflect what he was paid. Don’t like the signing only on the part of how much he was paid. Great fit for the Dodgers though.
iml12
The dodgers actually had the better short term deal and pretty negligible total. LA weather probably worth 3 million dollars when your rich.
rct
I wouldn’t say they got played. Simple negotiating by a player and his agent trying to secure the best deal.
Who really got played? The Dodgers are paying $85 million over the next two years for a wildly inconsistent pitcher who has a tendency to alienate fans, management, and his fellow players. And if he’s terrible in those two years, they’re going to be on the hook for another year at $20 million. I get that the Dodgers print money, but still.
Also, Bob Nightengale, who once again embarrassed himself and had a ‘scoop’ completely blow up in his face.
bradthebluefish
Where do the Mets go from here?
PutPeteRoseInTheHall
Up. Think about all the money they just saved
tony2bags
I would assume that they could extend Lindor hopefully.
raisinsss
Odorizzi / Walker & MarGon / util
OR
JBJ & Paxton / Hill / etc. (more likely if DH)
My guess.
Metsfan42632
I’d love to see them sign Turner to play 3rd base. Then use the rest of the money for Odorizzi and a bench piece or 2. Hopefully a 4th outfielder(right handed centerfielder)and a solid back up for McCann.
raisinsss
I’d rather see JD there.
99 Captain Judge
@bradthebluefish- looks like Jake Odorizzi or James Paxton for the Mets.
DarkSide830
they do nothing because they are still a top 4, if not top 2 team in the NL, (baseball) and can always add at tbe deadline. that or maybe add another RP.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Play the game? They lost out on a top free agent. It happens. I give them an B+ for the
effort and an A for the offseason.
terry g
The way I see it. Bauer wants to be a free agent again after 2022. So it was 2/85 or 2/75 and the Dodger offer fit better into his long range plan. That’s my take.
leftyontherightcoast
Except he really wants to be a FA after 2021 based on contract construction and in line with his previous comments. Assuming he has a solid season, he capitalizes by opting out after 2021 with 2 years and “only” $62M left. Also, will be curious to see if Dodgers owe extra $ if he opts out, as Mets really would have paid 2/80 if he opted out after ‘22.
passed_balls
What about the fact that there won’t be a 2022 season ?
Chief Two Hands
You may want to become more familiar with the definition of the term, “fact.”
Ducky Buckin Fent
Details = It Wasn’t Enough
mlbnyyfan
Why didn’t the Mets go all in for Springer. It’s obvious I’m not a Mets fan but don’t they need a CF more than another starter
Ducky Buckin Fent
I can’t say.
What I do know is that I’m jealous of Dodgers fans right now.
Yankee Clipper
Watch them sign JBJ and they will have their defensive CF next. My guess, they wanted SP more and knew the availability of SP was more limited and a greater weakness.
rct
They didn’t go all in on Springer because they don’t need him. They do need a defensive CF for late innings and rest, though.
But as of now, Conforto, Nimmo, and Dom Smith is a fine OF. And next year when Cano is back, McNeil can move back to the OF. Springer just doesn’t make any sense, especially when Conforto will need to be re-signed next year.
jvent
Suarez and Castillo for Mauricio,JD Davis,Szapucki,Gsellman and Familia to offset some of the $$ than sign Pillar.
hockeyjohn
Not nearly enough – Reds quickly say no.
AndyMeyer
The Red Legs hang up pretty quick
Anthony Princeton
One of the 10, if not 5 best 3B under locked into a team friendly, long term deal and a very good, inexpensive SP who is still arb eligible? Castillo has been just as good, if not better than Bauer over the last 2 seasons. Both of those players will get at least 2 top 100 prospects back in return plus more depending on how high they rank.
seamaholic 2
Not terrible for Castillo, especially if you take Familia out, but no way you get Suarez along for the ride. Mauricio is indeed a major stud prospect and could headline a deal for either Castillo or Marquez. But I don’t think either the Reds or Rox are taking Familia’s money. Might have to plug Dom Smith in for JD Davis too, and replace Familia with another prospect.
BartoloHRball
I’m pretty sure the Mets front office is quite high on Smith. He is the better 1B glove, but Petey is there….for now. Smith in LF isn’t ideal, but his bat is worth it. Elite hitting skills.
alc47
Not nearly enough. I think Alvarez is the one untouchable right now, that being said it would take Mauricio, Allan, Baty, Pete crow + ! It would deplete the farm system so I don’t see that trade happening. Maybe just Castillo though, that would be interesting.
Grade_1_teacher
Bauer is good but he’s not worth the money he’s getting. The Mets dodged a bullet there.
User 4245925809
Guess he doesn’t like DeBlasio either..
Rangers29
Because Newsom is better than DeBlasio? I doubt politics influenced his decision much.
Comrade Tipsy McStagger
FYI – Eric Garcetti is the mayor of Los Angeles, also a Dem.
MrMudd
Newsom is the mayor of LA?
whynot 2
It’s funny how easily they took the bait
Mjshof
John Silver
No one likes Diblasio not even Chirlane McCray
Yankee Clipper
He doesn’t care about politics for his baseball team’s home city, and neither would I.
MrMet33
Bauer never wanted to go to NY. He wanted LAD or LAA. The Angels didn’t step up so he dragged his feet with the Mets for a month until the Dodgers committed.
As a Mets fan I wanted Bauer to be greedy – but in the end it might be for the best as they can now reallocated that money.
PitcherMeRolling
As a Mets fan, I’d be more excited for this season if they had signed Springer and/or Bauer. But, I don’t think either of those deals are good for the teams long-term. I’m glad the Mets are actively engaged in the market, but aren’t spending just to spend. Also, Bauer is a dbag.
Now get some more bullpen help (Rosenthal?), JBJ (if he’s willing to come down to 3 years), some RH outfield depth and have Jared Porter’s old office sterilized.
raisinsss
Same. Would have loved either player but not at the $.
Conforto / Syndergaard extensions are hopefully more reasonable. Already stole JdG.
FSF
Trevor’s deal is only 3 years so how is it that you would prefer that the Mets sign them but think that it would be bad “long-term’.
raisinsss
Presumably it would make them less likely to sign or extend other more worthy alternatives like Lindor / Conforto.
FSF
Fair enough. I didn’t consider that when I read it but would mostly agree with your assessment. However, the Mets do have a win now team and you strike when the iron’s hot.
raisinsss
IMO, the $40+ million for this year alone could be better spent than Bauer, considering the rotation as it sits and with Syndergaard back around ASB.
I understand the sentiment though. JTR is my only regret knowing the $ paid by the ‘winning’ teams, more so if McCann doesn’t work out.
worthington
Guess Cohen can’t bear to overpay a bit to get it done. Mets missed out of all 3 of the top FA’s Realmuto Springer and Bauer. Probably won’t be willing to pay Lindor either.
raisinsss
Last owners bet on the Ponzi scheme and lost; this one bet against it but also lost.
@DaOldDerbyBastard
Overpay a bit?
burn0820
Trading for and extending Lindor, along with Conforto, is exactly why they didn’t overpay a little bit. They passed on Realmuto cause they wanted to add Lindor and potentially Springer or Bauer.
Anthony Princeton
But they haven’t extended Lindor or Conforto yet. As of now Mets were going big in FA and signed James McCann and Trevor May.
For what they were willing to pay Bauer and what they are paying McCann, they could have signed Realmuto and Springer for a lower AAV for at least 2021. Outside of injury, I have little doubt Realmuto and Springer will outperform Bauer and McCann, not only in 2021 but the foreseeable future. Then if they wanted more pitching they could have traded Conforto.
Cap & Crunch
So a 2/80 here basically , 5 less than the team he ultimately wanted-
Score one for team Luba, I did not see this market becoming so robust
debubba
Dodgers are paying 37 year old Scott Kazmir 8 million this year in deferred payments.
debubba
Kazmir deferral would make him the second highest player in the Indians roster.
hoff38
Tired of seeing fans say they don’t care about the price… well you want only the large market teams to consistently win? That is why the $210m salary penalty exist. Baseball is better when teams like the Brewers, Indians, Reds, etc are spending money. Players want those team to spend money too. Teams that tank are no good for the game, for the players trying to get paid or the fans.
swinging wood
Good luck with that message when the majority of the posters are represented by large metropolitan areas.
LordD99
The problem is the soft salary cap does cause the big market teams to control spending, but it does nothing to encourage the Rays, Indians, Pirates and A’s to spend. They’re happy to sit back and collect the revenue sharing dollars from the other teams.
stymeedone
There was no revenue sharing this year.
LordD99
Not relevant. I’m talking about the overall system as constructed.
DarkSide830
as a fan of a lrage market team who knows finance enough to know small market teams can also reasonably maintain the same payroll? yes, yes I do.
Sliderdownandin
I think Bauer will be much happier facing those NL West lineups rather than what he would have faced in the East on a more regular basis.
seamaholic 2
Oh yeah, cuz the Phillies, Marlins and Nats have such scary lineups! Those are three of the most mediocre (and int he case of Miami that’s kind) offenses in MLB.
DarkSide830
Philly was one of the top offenses in baseball and has JT and Didi back but okay.
differentbears
The NL West has two of the top hitters parks in Chase Field and Coors Field, and last time I looked the Dodgers will face the Padres offense as well. The NL West isn’t all that easy to pitch in.
Elfod325
This is honestly fine. Nobody should ever beat upset about not signing a pitcher with a 3.90 career ERA for 40-45 mil annually.
Go get walker or odorizzi for depth. JBJ is a boras client and he’ll dupe some team into giving jbj a 4+ year deal…I actually would prefer they trade for kiermaier anyway.
Then just extend conforto, lindor and maybe Noah and call it a day.
raisinsss
Kiermaier is an interesting piece. TB wary of even modest salaries. Has some upside offensively, defensive stud. For budget-minded TB, would Dom get it done? Personally, I think his bat and 1b glove are for legit; but he’s not an outfielder. I wouldn’t do it.
Could also just get Jake Marisnick for small $.
seamaholic 2
KK is really pretty awful. Those who haven’t seen him other than in the Rays’ playoff run last year are probably unaware of how much he’s declined, both offense and defense, in the past couple years. Albert Almora can probably get you what KK does with 1/5 the cost.
Oddvark
It has to be a bit dissapointing for Mets fans that they didn’t land any of the big fish — Bauer, Spring, Realmuto, Ozuna, DJLM — some of whom they tried harder on than others.
One bright side, to the extent that money is a factor (which seems to be the case), is that they have more room available to extend/re-sign Lindor, Conforto, Syndergaard, and/or Stroman.
And they can still sign Odorizzi or Paxton and/or Justin Turner. Or trade for other SPs or 3B.
raisinsss
Realmuto is my only disappointment after seeing the $ each received.
Elfod325
The turner to the Mets angle now is interesting. I don’t hate it at 2yrs or less. The Suarez/Gray chatter keeps popping up to. Suarez might be fine but sonny gray needs to stay far away from big market teams.
Rangers29
Let me ask, do you make this trade:
Mets get: Justin Turner for 2 years 30 mil
Dodgers get: Trevor Bauer 3 years 105 mil
That’s what that feels like. They missed getting a Cy Young winner at 105 mil in return for the cheaper JT to help their offense. I know it’s not a trade, but that’s how it feels to me. I doubt this makes sense to anybody else because what goes on inside my own head is weird, IK.
Orel Saxhiser
I miss very few Dodger games, none last year and hardly any at all during Turner’s time in L.A. Truthfully, I’m not sure how much elite-level production JT has left. Even before this Bauer thing, I was okay with the Dodgers letting him go and making do at 3B in 2021 in anticipation of Hoese’s arrival in 2022. I am not worried if the Dodgers don’t re-sign him. If they really want a 3B, there are other guys they can pursue.
Rangers29
As you know, I’m still very high on a Ramirez to L.A trade, and I think it could happen. That would not only make L.A the best team in the past decade, but it would also probably make them likely to break Seattle’s 116 game win record. That would be a super-team if I’ve ever seen one.
Chief Two Hands
As a Dodgers fan, I hope they don’t let Turner go if only for his presence in the clubhouse alone. I think that makes keeping him worth it even if he falls into more of a traditional platoon role with Rios. My guess is that he and his wife really like living in SoCal, too, so I think he would prefer to stay there, but money and contract length could obviously change one’s mind. Of course, that is just speculation on my part.
Murphy NFLD
Someone else seen the gray interview aswell it seems. He said the big market was tol much for him
Rangers29
Don’t be surprised if the Mets’ trade for Marquez or Castillo now. I wouldn’t put it past them. They are in need of one more starter, and if they get that… they will be the favorites in the East. They could also give the Dodgers a run for their money in a series even though they are worse.
Elfod325
What are they giving up for Castillo realistically? Marquez is certainly more plausible. They still need a defensive CF and maybe one more bp guy (ideally a lefty).
I also wouldn’t hate them signing rich hill and use him as a lefty reliever and spot starter.
seamaholic 2
Marquez is (I’d argue) a better pitcher than Castillo, but Castillo is indeed cheaper. Both have 3 years of control. Either one is gonna cost an absolute mint. Both the Reds and Rox are done with their salary dumps. Any trades of veterans they do now will be value for value.
AndyMeyer
Mets don’t have the capital to get Castillo. The guy is an ace with 3 years of control (making $4 million this year and 2 more arb years) Won’t happen. The Red Legs are trading him for peanuts. It’ll take a king’s ransom to get him and rightfully so
alc47
The Mets have enough to get Castillo I just think that would be a decision since it would deplete the farm. Alvarez, Mauricio, Baty, Allan & Pete Crow are some very good prospects.
AndyMeyer
Their farm system is pretty middle of the road. It’ll most likely cost them a major league ready player, their top 2 prospects plus a few 2nd tier prospects to get them to listen.
The Reds could do better elsewhere
DarkSide830
i mean shouldn’t complain after the Lindor/Cookie trade. that’s as big a splash as signing any of the big fish is.
Yep it is
World Series Champs after pa,ting a 40% schedule.
swinging wood
And yet they had to compete against more teams once the postseason started. Some would consider that an even more impressive task than a year that had the normal number of playoff teams.
differentbears
World Series Champions.
Fixed it for you. You didn’t need to write anything after that. Every team played an abbreviated schedule, and the Dodgers won more postseason games than any team in history to win a title, and did it playing with no off days until in the Series. And they beat the 2nd best NL team, the 3rd best NL team, and the best AL team to win the championship. They also went 6-0 in elimination games, finishing off their opponents in every game they could end a series, and coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the NLCS. They won games with power, they won games with pitching. They put up a run differential in 60 games that was historically good, and had the lowest ERA and scored the most runs.
Oh, and this is the same team that went to two World Series in three years, and won 106 games in 2019, only to then add Mookie Betts. But sure, they aren’t valid champions.
DarkSide830
More champs then any of the other 29 teams. that’s all that really matters.
pinstripes17
More like simply World Series Champs. Appreciate greatness.
Bradytech
Signing Bauer would’ve helped the Mets this year, no doubt. Not signing him, allows them the resources to re-sign Conforto, Lindor, and Syndergaard which’ll only make them better for the years to come. Plus, bring it, Punky Brewster, let’s rock.
Chief Two Hands
“Oh, Punky, you have a dog named Brandon.”
Mjshof
NYM are still a work in progress. They are not a championship caliber team and worse – dont have a path to a championship. They don’t have enough young talent that can continue to get better by any significant amount. They don’t have enough CBT space to add enough talent and keep Thor, Conforto etc. Their only real hope is to get hot for the playoffs and hope to surprise a team in the LCS.
seamaholic 2
They’re gonna blow through the CBT. Probably not this year but next. You don’t want to do it every year and if you can avoid it you should, but the Cohen money is infinite (his hedge fund is way richer than the Dodgers’ owners) and they were prepared to blast by it for Bauer. They’ll certainly do it and then some for Conforto and Lindor and whomever else the want to sign.
Orel Saxhiser
Blasting through the CBA is not how you win in baseball. It’s not how the Dodgers have done it. The Mets will still be lagging behind d because their organization isn’t there yet. The Braves are clearly ahead of them. By the way, re-signing Lindor is no guarantee. Other teams have money and not everyone wants to play in Flushing.
DarkSide830
every baseball owner is rich and could afford to consistently spend well beyond the top CBT. they dont for a reason – just because you have money doesnt mean you want to throw it away.
n2northsiders
40 million and a legit chance to win the World Series is a no brainer going to LA. The Mets are not a contender even if they landed Bauer
n2northsiders
40 million averages out to $1,250,000 per game
Orel Saxhiser
Why does that matter to you?
whynot 2
Be realistic, the Mets as constructed are a contender, perhaps not two or three but you can’t deny they have the talent under the right circumstances to win it all. Would it be easy, of course not, but you can’t dismiss them. They are definitely in the conversation which going into any season it the least you can ask for
Moneyballer
So the Mets had the best offer! They got lucky, they don’t have to waste their money on this jackass. Wait till next offseason and be major players at that point. It’s a good day to be a mets fan!
Orel Saxhiser
Yeah, another year of battling for the second wild card.
Moneyballer
Hey they saved $100 million bucks and don’t have to deal with Trevor Bauer. I’ll just say this, if the dodgers don’t repeat in 2021, we all get to blame Bauer! I can’t wait!
Orel Saxhiser
…and if the Mets miss the post-season and watch Lindor march off to “warmer” pastures, what then?
Moneyballer
More money to spend. If Lindor starts playing decent, they’ll lock him up….he kinda sucked last year so it could be good if he walks.
chriscala
Well said !
99 Captain Judge
Anybody in their right mind frame (including Bauer) would of taken the World Champion Dodgers offer instead of the Mets. And he gets to stay home, a total no-brainer.
Moneyballer
I mean I guess….I wonder which offer came first? This could just be one of those…oh that’s all the mets are offering? We can do that! Dodgers swoop in and make a comparable offer and its done. Bauer didn’t really have a robust market for his services. This could have very well been a 1 year deal if the mets were not players for him.
Orel Saxhiser
It basically is a one-year deal since Bauer has two opt-outs. Who’s to say Bauer won’t opt-out after 2021? Yes, year 2 is $45 million, but he might think he can do better than two years, $62 million if he has a great 2021. It’s clever how the deal is structured. It’s why players like playing for the Dodgers and why other teams like trading with them: they offer fair deals.
Hammerin' Hank
Didn’t really have a robust market for his services? And he came away with 85 million for 2 years? I’d call that pretty robust!
Moneyballer
Not at ALL robust. Players of his talent (gerrit cole for instance) have multiple teams bidding willing to give multiple years at high dollar amounts. This was his market, a desperate team with a new owner only going 3 years….then an equally desperate team trying to keep up with what the Padres did this offseason by matching the mets. THAT’S IT! That’s pathetic for a cy young winner. Those opt outs are just as attractive to the club than they are to the player because they know they’re buying a major headache off the field.
Cap & Crunch
I think it was pretty robust imo…Im sure he coulda gotten a 5/150 if he wanted to lower the AAV but I think everything him and Luba did was to get that final offer up by LAD and then they ran to grab the pen
Either way ya gotta give credit to Luba and Co….they got what they wanted (multi year record AAV), the team they wanted, and got to put on their little show as well at the end-
chicagofan1978
I would be excited if they both made the playoffs and the Mets knocked them out
dirkg
I’m from SoCal and I hate this move. The Dodgers best pitcher makes $570,000 a year (Buehler) and arguably its 3rd best pitcher is pulling in $40M next season. Rarely does a scenario like this end well.
Orel Saxhiser
Walker Buehler’s base salary for 2021 will be either $3.3 million or $4.15 million, depending on an arbitration hearing. He is not at league minimum and his time to get paid will come. Btw, when did Buehler overtake Kershaw as the Dodgers’ best pitcher? There are no numbers to support that conclusion.
Also, Buehler publically stated he wanted the Dodgers to sign Bauer, who is his friend of his. Don’t try to invent disharmony that clearly doesn’t exist. The Dodgers are renowned for having a great clubhouse, thanks in large part to their future Hall of Fame manager,
the14thdoctor
I was actually kind of thinking along these lines. Yeah, I would have liked to get him, but it feels “off” to pay him so much more than deGrom. The Mets have a lot of likable guys that actually want to be here. I’m disappointed for sure, but on the bright side, I get to feel good about the guys I cheer for.
Cap & Crunch
Ha Doc….I kinda thought about the Mets after the sign……… Degroms gonna decline after 22 and THEN what lol????? 1/50 ????? 2/100…. he’ll be going into age 35 so it wont be a long termer prolly, and his agent has to be taking notice of Luba
Kinda a 2 fold blow there w the Bauer signing for them…. I like the Mets btw and Love Degroom
LordD99
Thankfully the Mets made the Lindor deal; otherwise, this would be a very disappointing offseason for Cohen and company. Signing McCann and May are more filler moves compared to the big name moves fans expected.
Yankee Clipper
McCann is an important signing though. C is arguably the most important position in the field, day-to-day. Or as I like to call him now, JTR-lite
LordD99
Sure. McCann and May are likely both good signings. Just an observation that expectations don’t always meet reality. Many were sure that when the richest owner in MLB wanted a player he’d get that player. It’s not that easy.
Very Barry
McCann is the most overrated signing of them all. I am a White Sox fan and I love me some James McCann, but he is a backup. He is a 40-60 game guy. His “All-Star” season he was good the first half, Sox were rebuilding, he made All-Star team and then tanked the rest of the year. Last year, decent numbers. 60-game season guys and he only played 30 games. White Sox are a cost conscious team. There is a reason why we gave Yasmani Grandal the richest contract in team history to be our catcher AFTER McCann’s All-Star season. We would have loved to have him back ….. as our backup catcher. Watch how his numbers crater after May. There is a reason why this guy got cut by a rebuilding Detroit Tigers team.
RoadRunner38!
This will be the worst contract in MLB history! Wow what a dumb overpaid contract! No one player is worth that!
Orel Saxhiser
The best-run team in MLB just gave him all that. That makes him worth it.
differentbears
It’s a 3 year deal at the most, most likely a 2 year deal. This is what the Dodgers want to do with guys like Bauer, pay up for the short term years, let someone else pay him on the wrong side of 30.
I don’t care for his personality and online presence, but I’m intrigued to see what the analytics-driven front office/training staff can do with him. And I’m certain that guys like Kershaw and Betts and the Dodger culture in general will tamp down a bit of that social media stuff from Bauer. For all his faults, he does seem to be a competitor and a hard worker.
Did I just talk myself into Trevor Bauer? Yes, yes I did. If he doesn’t remotely live up to the contract, oh well. The Dodgers don’t need Trevor Bauer to make the postseason, or to win another ring. He’s a luxury at this point, so why not?
Hammerin' Hank
Obviously he IS worth it. Otherwise 2 teams would not have made basically the same offer. These modern analytically-driven front offices know what players are worth. Do you get this upset when actors are paid ridiculous sums to make movies?
chriscala
Enough OBJ’s/Kyrie’s in our sports world !!!
Mets fan. Thank you Dodgers
Orel Saxhiser
Big Pat Boone fan, are ya? It is okay that everyone is not different. Enjoy your Metsies battling for that second wild card. It won’t be easy.
parts unknown
who cares If he’s a jerk. winning is all that matters in sports. whiny mets fans. had he signed with the Mets you’d all slobber over a degrom/Bauer combo.
Chief Two Hands
They already were when they thought it was a given that he was going to sign with the Mets.
Cosmo2
Nope, not this Met fan. Never wanted him… and slobber? No way, he’s just not that good in my opinion. Many Met fans feel this way but keep telling us what we think.
Chief Two Hands
I don’t have to tell you if you read the comments. It certainly wasn’t every Mets fan, but the majority of them that were posting were all about gloating over Bauer when they thought he was going to sign with the Mets.. deny it all you want…the posts are still there. Check out Luba’s Twitter, if you want further proof. It is full of Mets fans whining about how they feel the Mets were lied to and used. I don’t usually have anything to do with Twitter, but I clicked on a link on this site to see the reaction from Mets fans…and there is a lot of moaning.
Yankee Clipper
Where was the Met’s fans’ outrage for his Twitter fight when he was going to sign there? NOW fans are coming out of the woodwork and jumping on the bandwagon to justify hating this guy. It’s incredible.
Cosmo2
I get that. A lot of my co-fans may be now hypocritically slamming him (sour grapes perhaps). But not all of us. Many of us here and elsewhere never wanted him for several reasons.
Yankee Clipper
Yeah, I get that. I wouldn’t either, because he’s immature, not representative of the values my team espouses (or should), and I think his arrogance overshadows almost any other positive value he brings, imho.
Professionally, I think he’s an average pitcher, not worth the contract, and is far from clutch, although he is durable.
Chief Two Hands
@Cosmos2
That’s true, and there have been mixed feelings among Dodger fans as well. I wasn’t telling you what anyone was thinking, though, just referring to what people had actually posted. There is a big difference between the two.
SugaMonkey
Well, this officially closes the Angels’ off-season in which they promised so much, but gave so little. The Angels owner just doesn’t get it. You’re wasting the greatest baseball player of this generation, and one of the greatest of all-time by dumpster diving!?
bauertothemuttslolz
The Mutts have always been, and always will be, a garbage organization with a long history of losing and bad character. The fired their gm in a cloud of greasy scandal and disgrace, only one year after firing their manager in a cloud of scandal and disgrace.
They traded half their organization for a guy that hit .250 last year and won’t resign because, like Bauer and Stringer, no one wants to play for the Mutts. They have a DH at first base, a first base in left field and a corner outfielder in center field. Their big free agent signings? A backup catcher and a fifth starter.
Half of their starting staff ends up injured every single year. There’s always all this hype and talk and every year they stink just the same.
the14thdoctor
People sure spend a lot of time talking about a “garbage organization.” I’m fact, they seem rather obsessed with the “Mutts.” I wonder why that is.
I’m sorry you’ve had a tough life and that you’re so bitter. Keep your chin up. You’ll be fine if you channel your desperation into something positive.
1984wasntamanual
Ad hominem just shows you have no real argument.
Cosmo2
Seriously have you been reading this lolz person’s posts? One troll job after another. Why even debate details with someone like that? Ad hominem sounds about right to me.
Hammerin' Hank
Batting average over a small sample size for a great player like Lindor? Really?
a dawg
Would’ve been nice but not a necessity. Other pitchers fit as well.
leftcoast11 - pyramidsuccess
Bauer has wanted to be a Dodger his whole life.He isn’t the first and he won’t be the last to incorporate his exercises and training into the Dodger system.This cat is filthy and has a nasty streak
mhsaltz1963
He’s a career 75-64 with a 3.90 ERA. He was dominant in a 60 game season and was really only great in one other season. The Dodgers didn’t sign Roy Halladay. Bauer is cashing in on a short season Cy Young. As a Phillies fan, I can say that the Mets will not regret missing out. The Phils just wrapped up a 3 year, $75 million dollar deal with Jake Arietta. Ugh. I ‘ll bet Carrasco wins more games than Bauer in 2021.
differentbears
Not a smart bet, Carrasco vs. Bauer. Wins are a team stat, and even if Bauer regresses, he’s likely to win 12-15 games because the Dodgers score runs for him.
ArianaGrandSlam
l’d say Price is going bye-bye like Kansas within the next one week.
LordD99
Has a no trade clause.
Big35Hurt
Wow it really mjust suck to be a Mets Fan. LOL They have this new Billionaire Owner and had such high expectations and they couldn’t land anyone of significance. They traded for Lindor coming off his worst year in the big leagues. Then literally each and every significant free agent used them to drive up the price and then went elsewhere. Realmuto, LeMahieu, Springer, Bauer……. their best signing was a guy who was the backup catcher in Chicago and they woefully overpaid for a guy who can’t hit RHP. smh
Cap & Crunch
Mets are in great shape….I dont think theres any knocks on Cohen yet…tbd…..Tbh the only real move different id have done myself is pay Mccann double and make him a JTR edition catcher- Off seasons not done; if they were willing to go 40 more this year on Bauer they can still mop up before opening day
**What does suck is -What happens after 22 with Degroom now? His agent probably has all sorts of neato-ideas today that are going to cost the Mets dearly to retain him
bklynphil
Longtime Bums fans and I know that pitching wins, especially in postseason. However, very concerned that they won’t sign Turner now. His value is immeasurable. Hopefully they’re able to dump some salaries- Kelly etc. & sign Red
bot
Plenty of Bauer haters stunned over him now- the highest paid player in league! Love it ! Dudes sit around waiting for MLBTR to post an article about him so they can hate and now he’s the highest paid player in baseball lolz!
bot
This is bad for the quality of the league. Dodgers just blew past cap and will still prob keep spending. That happening while other teams are operating like on the verge of bankruptcy (Rockies). Yanks are over cap too and Mets could care less. These big market teams keep spending while many teams cannot/will not so the gap between top teams and bottom widen. MLB, if they cared to put best product on the field, have a lot of work to do
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Welcome to Major League Baseball.
Nothing you described is new. It’s the business model.
rocky7
Ah, Dude….the top 2 teams over the cap right now are the Dodgers and Boston Red Sox….the Yankees are either 3rd or 4th depending on how you add up the money……if anything, there have been endless comments about how they’ve not been doing anything to improve based on an edict from the Boss not to cross over the Lux Tax threshold…..if anything, teams not willing to spend, have weak ownership and subsequently weak balance sheets which determine their fate and subsequent lack of improvement of their teams….not the stronger teams fault!
infractor
No a Mets fan but it’s fun to watch what they’re doing. I have to imagine they can put that money to better use, especially where Bauer is not a lock to repeat and they still have a great rotation (and Thor returning at some point).
rocky7
Not a Mets fan either, but lets see Bauer repeat last years performance before we judge why they Mets didn’t “up” their offer and exhaust the Dodgers for bagging an “ace” right out from under the Mets noses!
If they can avoid injuries to their pitching staff, and assuming they have the cash and interest to trade for help (which there will certainly be as always) at the trade deadline, there is no reason to overpay for a guy who is coming off a career year.
Chief Two Hands
The Mets made their offer, so they were clearly all-in for Bauer.. He simply preferred to play for the. Dodgers. Th Mets, though, were clearly willing to overpay, even offering a larger overall contract.
whynot 2
The Mets didn’t need to up their offer, he just decided to go with the Dodgers, in some strange “Decision” sort of way
larry48
Bauer went to the Dodgers and will win the division and play for the world series next 2 years. Met will not win the division in the next two years might win the wild card. I dought it unless they fix their defense, they are bad at 1st base, 3base, all three outfield spots.
whynot 2
That’s just an exaggeration. Yes, 3B and CF defense can be improved. Using Smith at 1B and DHing Alonso solves that issue. Conforto is fine in RF so is Nimmo in LF
DarkSide830
it seems very clear he just wants the 2/85 and then is going to dip after year 2.
rocky7
Agreed, no way he doesn’t opt out unless he absolutely stinks (which probably doesn’t happen, but he may just be okay) and is just milking the contract.
bravesfan
Interesting move for Bauer. I think he went with the smarter move theoretically taking less money overall but more up front from the Dodgers. He’s banking on himself that he will be able to make more that at least $20 mil in 3 years, which sounds reasonable today… plus he’s gonna play for what should be a significantly better team. Better teams win more games and in theory should help pad his stats. Plus, top to bottom, the west is a significantly weaker division, although they with the Padres improvements they still have a legit challenger. It will be interesting to watch this unfold over the years. Just glad the Mets don’t have him. Puck the Mets
LordD99
Bauer wins no matter what. He either wins hugely, or he wins biggly, or he simply wins.
Picking the most up front money and picking the Dodgers over the Mets are both smart choices.
bobtillman
Cohen wanted Bauer to take a million shares of GameStop shorts, and can’t understand why he refused.
Yankee Clipper
Lol- nice…
meckert
He never threw a single pitch for us but good riddance anyway! If this was the courtship what would the marriage have been like? Thank you Mr. Drama Queen for spurning us.
JOHNSmith2778
This will be remembered like the Barry Zito contract. When Bauer is making $2.5m for the cubs on a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training in 2025 we will all LOL at his $45m 2022 salary.
MikeGrr19
Great comparison
Chief Two Hands
Not really comparable at all, considering the length of the two contracts.
atmospherechanger
Big $
Dodgers Stadium- Pitcher’s Paradise (stat padding)
WS Champs w/ a chance to repeat
Division games pitching in SD & SF
Inter league games in Sea & Anaheim
Great weather
What’s not to like for him?
User 355748524
Trevor Bauer is the Bryce Harper of pitchers. Well known athlete, whom fans either love or hate, with a “rockstar” attitude that is generally said to be a sign of his confidence, arrogance, or both.
Both also had 4 inconsistent seasons in which one year they would be top-tier players before dropping to middling to underwhelming the next and so on.
IMO, Bauer is not worth the contract he got. However, the Dodgers are banking on his performance and presence on social media to help the team win and make money, with the potential risks that come with both.
Dan Hunter
Mets might win 4 more games than last year.
Their defense is atrocious and Lindor can only cover 50 feet of ground.
Davis and Nimmo will cost them several games.
MikeGrr19
As a fan I’m ok with him to the Dodgers
This allows them to extend Lindor & talk about extended Conforto and Thor
Bauer may have figured something out
But dude has an ERA under 4 ONCE in a full season
Dan Hunter
…and that will not win the mets enough to finish above 3rd.
whynot 2
Oh troll take it elsewhere
Dan Hunter
really?
how will mets do over braves nats phillies?
jim stem
Well, unlike most teams, the Mets still have plenty of time and budget room to continue up explore options.
Defensive improvement can come with a full spring training to prepare (Davis at 3b and Smith in left) and improved pitching. Not having Wacha, Porcello and Matz getting shelled and Lugo back in the bullpen are all upgrades to the defense.
Davis played 3b throughout his minor league career and Smith 1B. Conforto was forced into center and McNeil into RF, who was also a career infielder.
All these young guys were playing out of position due to injuries and necessity. To their credit, they worked hard and never made excuses. On top of that, they all lost spring training last year which would greatly have helped them prepare.
Defensive improvement can come late in games with double switches and the right personnel, along with pitchers not having rockets hit around the field at 110 miles per hour.
Mets defense will be just fine. If it’s MLB average with healthy pitchers and that lineup, they will be in contention all season.
WiffleBall
Incredible money for a guy who’s had SEVEN SEASONS with an ERA north of 4.00 and only ONE season with more than 12 wins; a so-called “Ace” who’s only ever had TWO seasons with an ERA under 3.00 and one of them was a pandemic-shortened season.
He may end up being great, but that’s a lot of money to be betting on it, given his spotty history.
Maybe he’s like Cliff Lee, who didn’t put it all together until his 7th major league season, or maybe he’s the next Carl Pavano, who parlayed one really good year into a big free agent contract, and was never as good as that one good season…
Dan Hunter
All we know, even if the mets had Bauer they will finish behind the Braves, nats and maybe Marlins next 3-5 years.
larry48
Marlins will finish last in 2021, they are not very good in any are except they pitch will in 2020 witch was an outlier,
Jim Emmons
Your English is coming along. Keep practicing.
whynot 2
That’s just an irrational comment
Dave4585
Hope his 3.50 ERA is worth all the millions
jim stem
Mets fan here. I’ve said all along that I was pretty much against signing him to a huge deal for more than one year based on last season’s 11 starts.
The good news is that it’s now over and they can focus on other areas and players. Still need another catcher, a true centerfielder and AAA starting pitching depth with major league experience.
Now is the time to sign these injury bounce back guys and let them build back up at AAA. Their starting 26 looks very solid at this time even without additional moves. Love to see them jettison players who might not be in their future plans for healthy A or AS guys. Right now, Betances and Familia are 6th inning or mop up guys. I think if they look healthy in spring training that they should be moved for low level pitching prospects.
The Mets do have a few potential blue chip prospects, but they are realistically 2+ years away. Management can now afford to be patient with them and let them develop.
Dan Hunter
For the Mets to consistently win
Suarez, Gray
or Bryant Hendricks
McCann backup catcher to Grandal.
trades
no free agency.
Bill M
Not a single one of those things will happen
whynot 2
Keep on trolling
Digdugler
Since its the MLB and money doesn’t matter to the top teams, it makes no difference if the Mets or Dodgers significantly overpaid just because they can. They need a floor for sure like $100M or even higher (too many cheap owners this seems like a far cry) but they should also probably add a hard cap. SInce money doesnt matter, obviously Mets fans and Dodger fans just want them to sign every player no matter the cost but then you end up with players like Bauer making $40M+ per year.
of9376
I’m a Mets fan and I wanted Bauer but man that contract is ridiculous. Bauer isn’t a top 5 pitcher in the league. He had 11 great starts last year but outside of that he’s a career 3.90 ERA pitcher.
Bill M
Agree. What is like to see the team do now is sign one of the next tier starters to slot into the back end of the rotation. And then, call it a day. Go into spring with that roster, tweak the pen and the bench and play it out until the trade deadline. Then get what they need to replace the injured players.