Trevor Bauer Rumors: Mets, Angels Believed to Be Front-Runners for Free-Agent SP

The New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels are believed to the front-runners to sign reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

Feinsand noted the recent movement in the free-agent market—namely the signings of George Springer and DJ LeMahieu—could ignite the race to land Bauer. 

The Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly monitoring Bauer's negotiations as well. 

Per Feinsand: 

"Mets team president Sandy Alderson made it clear early in the winter that he likes Bauer, and even after signing Marcus Stroman, James McCann and Trevor May for a combined $75 million -- then trading for Francisco Lindor, who will earn $22.3 million in 2021 and command a huge extension likely exceeding $300 million -- new owner Steve Cohen has the financial wherewithal to sign Bauer (or anybody else, for that matter).

"... As for the Angels, they have been the most logical landing spot for Bauer all along, and nothing that has happened this offseason has changed that. They have been in search of a No. 1 starter for years, trying to build a championship-level rotation to help Mike Trout get back to the postseason."

Bauer grew up in Southern California before attending UCLA, so he is familiar with the area. After L.A. added Jose Quintana on a one-year deal this week, putting Bauer at the top of the rotation would go a long way toward ending a postseason drought that stretches back to 2014. 

Spotrac notes the Angels are $25 million away from hitting the $210 million competitive balance tax, which could hurt the team's chances of landing the ace if it wishes to remain under the threshold. Bauer is reportedly seeking a deal worth at least $35 million per year, according to Feinsand. 

In New York, where new chairman Steven Cohen wants to win now, Bauer would join fellow Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman and Noah Syndergaard when the latter returns from Tommy John surgery. The foursome would become arguably the best rotation in baseball. 

Bauer has plenty of strong options, though it's unclear when he'll make his decision as spring training looms.