Many Mets fans were fuming after Trevor Bauer signed with the Dodgers last week, and MLB insider Jon Heyman told Moose & Maggie on Thursday that the frustration with Bauer's decision extended beyond the fanbase.
"I know some Mets people were not that thrilled by the whole situation," Heyman said. "They felt they were very close to getting him. Maybe they should breathe a sigh of relief. Obviously he's a fantastic pitcher, but there's a reason teams wanted him on a very short deal. He's a very quirky personality."
Even if they Mets avoided trouble with Bauer and the $102 million contract he signed with Los Angeles, the franchise is still facing the reality that it has missed on three big-time free agents since Steve Cohen took over as owner of the team. Cohen's tenure with the Mets has been incredibly brief, but what is the consensus around the league now that his team has missed out on another star despite a strong effort to sign him?
"I think people are a little surprised," Heyman said. "They know Steve Cohen didn't suffer the same losses that other teams did…and is reportedly the richest owner. They gave it a shot and they were outbid, at least on the Springer case, and I think timing was the issue with Realmuto. I think with Bauer, he's from L.A. and probably likes the Hollywood scene. I don't think there's anything else they could have done. I don't think anybody's faulting them. Obviously you get [Francisco] Lindor which is fantastic, and Carrasco will certainly add to that rotation. Overall, I think it's been a good offseason and people recognize it, but they're probably surprised they didn't land one of the $100 million players."
The Mets hope they have better luck with another superstar in Lindor, who is set to become a free agent after this season, in what will be his first with the Mets. New York will have two big-name free agents on the docket next winter Lindor and Michael Conforto don't agree to extensions during the 2021 season, and while Heyman believes keeping both stars will be a tough ask, he has faith that Cohen will finally get to open the checkbook for one of the best players in the league in Lindor.
"I think they're going to try on Conforto and Lindor," Heyman said. "They have two stars right there that are free agents at the end of the year. So they're going to make a big push to get both of them signed. I'm a little skeptical on Conforto. He's out there saying he'd like to talk and see what's out there…Lindor is in an excellent position. He turned down $200 million in Cleveland and is looking for $300 million. He's in a big market now with a wealthy owner…my expectation is they will get Lindor done."
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported last month that Cohen and the Mets would likely offer Lindor that $300 million deal he is seeking, while Lindor has said he is open to an extension, but set spring training as a deadline for negotiations before he turns his focus to the season ahead. Even if a deal isn't done by then, Heyman likes New York's chances of securing its next superstar and face of the franchise.
"I'm still not as confident on Conforto. He's a [Scott] Boras client, and normally they like to see what's out there in free agency. I don't want to rule it out, but I'm much more confident with Lindor."
Listen to Heyman's full interview with Moose & Maggie below!
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