MLB Predictions: Trevor Bauer Joins Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies Keep J.T. Realmuto

Arguably the two best players in this year’s MLB free agent class remain unsigned three months after the 2020 World Series. Teams continue to pursue starting pitcher Trevor Bauer and catcher J.T. Realmuto in hopes of improving their 2021 championship chances.

George Springer inked the biggest deal of the offseason, signing a reported six-year, $150 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. The New York Yankees kept DJ Lemahieu for six years and $90 million. Bauer and Realmuto are both expected to land nine-figure contracts.

Where will Bauer and Realmuto end up? Here are predictions for both free agents.

Trevor Bauer: Los Angeles Angels

The Angels are committed to building a title contender around Mike Trout, and doing so means spending more than most teams. Los Angeles gave Trout a record-setting $426 million contract in 2019 and signed third baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million deal in free agency. That wasn’t enough to get the Angels to the 2020 playoffs, extending their postseason drought to six years.

Pitching was Los Angeles’ Achilles heel last season. Only two AL teams finished with a worse ERA than the Angels. The best way to fix that would be adding the reigning NL Cy Young winner. Bauer led the league with a 1.73 ERA in MLB’s truncated 60-game season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers might offer Bauer the highest annual salary, but they aren’t expected to present the right-hander with a lengthy deal. The New York Mets and San Francisco Giants are in the mix, as well.

With the likes of the Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians losing some of their best players for 2021, the American League could be wide open. Bauer would help make the Angels a serious threat in the AL West.

J.T. Realmuto: Philadelphia Phillies

The general consensus among MLB reporters is that Philadelphia won’t let Realmuto go elsewhere. The Phillies traded for the catcher prior to the 2019 season, and he’s been everything the team could’ve asked for in two years. Realmuto has hit .273/.333/.492 with 36 home runs in 192 games, making an All-Star team and winning a Gold Glove.

A few potential suitors have seemingly taken themselves out of the Realmuto Sweepstakes. The Mets gave catcher James McCann a four-year contract. The Blue Jays are unlikely to give out a second $100 million contract. Between signing catcher Kurt Suzuki and making a play for Bauer, the Angels probably aren’t meeting Realmuto’s asking price.

The Atlanta Braves might be Philadelphia’s top competition. Atlanta is targeting Realmuto, Fansided’s Robert Murray reports. Considering the Braves have won three straight NL East titles, the Phillies could have even more motivation to keep Realmuto.

Philadelphia has fallen short of expectations missing the playoffs in nine straight seasons. Playing in perhaps MLB’s most competitive division, the Phillies can ill afford to let Realmuto walk.