MLB Free Agents: 5 starters ready to test the market in 2021
Trevor Bauer- Cincinnati Reds
After their spending habits increased this offseason, the Cincinnati Reds have emerged as a potential playoff team in the National League. After upgrading their rotation by signing Wade Miley, they bolstered their lineup by signing Mike Moustakas and Nicholas Castellanos.
They are trying to build a winning team, one that would appeal to MLB free agents on the open market, especially Trevor Bauer.
The Reds traded for Bauer last season, even if they knew he maybe walk after the 2020 season He has made it very clear that he wants to get paid and he wants to go to a contending team.
The 2018 All-Star struggled a little bit in 2019, posting a 4.48 ERA over 34 starts.
Expect to see major improvements from Bauer next season, since it is his contract year. He will only be 29 this season and still struck out 253 batters over 213 innings in 2019.
If he pitches like he did in 2018 this season, he will be rewarded on the open market, or perhaps the Reds go all in and pay him.
He has struggled from a lack of consistency throughout his career. However, that does not mean he is not going to get a big deal because Zack Wheeler got a $118 million deal with Philadelphia by capitalizing on two strong halves.
When Bauer hits the open market, he is going to be in high demand if he has a strong 2020 season.