Mets Rumors: George Springer, Trevor Bauer Joining New York? Club Targets Top Free Agents

The New York Mets are expected to be big spenders this offseason after being purchased by hedge-fund billionaire Steve Cohen. It appears they have their sights set on some of baseball's top free agents.

New York is interested in arguably the best pitcher and hitter on the market. The Mets are “moving closer” to George Springer and Trevor Bauer, the Star-Ledger’s Bob Klapisch reports. SNY has also reported that New York is looking to sign Springer.

Catcher J.T. Realmuto is considered by many to be the best catcher available. However, the Mets are more interested in signing the Chicago White Sox's James McCann, who is reportedly close to agreeing to a four-year deal, according to baseball insider Ken Rosenthal.

#Mets are moving closer to George Springer and/or Trevor Bauer. Ultimate target is TBD. I’m told @StevenACohen2 is leaning towards Springer; Alderson would like to sign Bauer. Either one would be a huge upgrade in Flushing.
— Bob Klapisch (@BobKlap) December 9, 2020

REPORT: Per ESPN’s Buster Olney, he would be willing to “bet the family farm in Vermont” that the Mets end up with OF George Springer. Huge news considering that last week it was reported that Toronto and Boston were going to make strong pushes for him. pic.twitter.com/ZqVx3SH8W6
— Mets Rumors & Updates (@nym_verse) December 8, 2020

Springer was an All-Star each year with the Houston Astros from 2017-19 before finishing 13th in the 2020 AL MVP race. The 31-year-old right-fielder is a career .270/.361/.540 hitter. Springer hit a personal-best 39 home runs with 96 RBI in 2019.

Springer won the 2017 World Series MVP award. He has 19 home runs in 63 career playoff games.

Considering the Mets led the NL in batting average and finished third with a team .807 OPS, it might be more important for New York to sure up its rotation.

Bauer would do just that after winning the 2020 NL Cy Young award with a league-best 1.76 ERA and 0.795 WHIP.

Bauer led the Cincinnati Reds to the 2020 playoffs, where he didn’t allow a run in his one start. The right-hander will probably command north of $30 million per year in free agency. Only three NL teams had a worse ERA than the Mets last season.

The Mets are also thought to be a potential trade destination for Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor.

New York missed the playoffs for the 12th time in 14 years. They are expected to enter the 2021 season with one of MLB’s largest payrolls.