The NL Cy Young Award finalist finished the shortened season on a strong note, but, could the outspoken veteran land a contract with the Boston Red Sox? While his win-loss record will not wow anyone, Trevor Bauer had a solid season. his 5-4 record tells a different story than his 1.73 ERA in 11 games this season. His 100 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched also showed his dominance.
What makes this an ideal fit?
The Red Sox have finally dipped under the luxury tax, and by a substantial amount going forward. They have an estimated $62 million in cap space for the 2021 season. This number could drop even lower if slugger J.D Martinez decides to opt-out for free agency. With pitching being a huge struggle throughout the season and an even bigger question mark in 2021, the Red Sox will be huge players on the pitching market.
With Former Cy Young winner, Chris Sale sidelined all of this year with Tommy John surgery, and Eduardo Rodriguez shelved with COVID-19 and heart complications due to the virus, it remains to be seen how and if they will be ready to pitch next season. The only guaranteed pitchers to return are Nathan Eovaldi and Martin Perez. With Tanner Houck proving that he can have a capable role in this rotation for years to come as well.
Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom had this to say about the offseason plans on WEEI last week. “I think we have to be,” Bloom said on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show. “I don’t say that to disrespect anybody that we have, but clearly, you look at the results and you look at how it has gone, and it’s not something you can have if you expect to have a winning season. There’s no question. I don’t think I’m breaking news by saying that.”
The market is flooded with options from Bauer, to Marcus Stroman, and Taijuan Walker all expected to be on the Sox radar this winter. Bauer brings a fiery passion for the game. He is also one of the most outspoken players when it comes to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Bauer had this to say about his impending free agency options and preferences. “I want to win. I want to be with a team that has a winning culture. I want to be there in the playoffs. I want a chance at a World Series. That’s one thing that really drives me. I want a chance to pitch every fourth day instead of every fifth. That really drives me. Going along with that: how’s the medical staff? How’s the technology — the information that’s available on the coaching staff? What’s the culture of the organization like?”
The Red Sox could in theory give Bauer that postseason environment to supplement the winning culture that already exists in New England. The Fenway Faithful have always had a high standard for winning, and there would be no issues with Bauer.
In Conclusion.
Insert him into a rotation with Sale, Rodriguez, Houck, Eovaldi, and Perez, or another acquisition makes this one of the top tier rotations in the American League. If both sides can convince each other that this “win now” attitude Red Sox front office has proclaimed this year to be true, then it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to see Bauer in Boston, only time will tell if both sides will come together to strike a deal.
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