Mets Million-Dollar Question: Is Trevor Bauer or J.T. Realmuto the bigger priority?

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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 04: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers a pitch in the first inning during game two of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 4, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

3) The Verdict: The Mets should prioritize signing Trevor Bauer over J.T. Realmuto

You can never have too much starting pitching in baseball and that is a lesson the Mets learned the hard way this season. Signing Trevor Bauer would give the Mets a legitimate ace to pair with Jacob deGrom next season and with Bauer reportedly not looking for longer-term commitments this could be the best move for the Mets to make in the short term.

We have all seen longer-term contracts not pan out the way teams have thought they would in the past. With J.T. Realmuto reportedly wanting a six or seven-year contract close to $200 million this offseason, it wouldn’t make sense for the Mets to make a move that sizeable with other potential options on the free-agent market such as James McCann or trading for a starting catcher this offseason.

With as physically demanding as the catcher position is, New York might find value for the first half of the contract, but normally catchers do not age well behind the plate and sometimes will require a position change. It also doesn’t go without saying the Mets have a top catching prospect that many in the organization are very high on in 18-year old Francisco Alvarez who could be ready for the Majors in three seasons or so.

Bauer fills a much bigger hole for the team currently and with his addition, it would easily make the organization a legitimate playoff contender next season. Spending substantial money on one of the best pitchers in baseball to add to the bare starting rotation seems to make more sense, rather than adding an offensive driven catcher to the Mets already potent lineup which would seem to be more of a luxury move.

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I’ve always lived by the old adage that pitching wins championships. If the Mets are going to make a deep run next October, the entire front office would be smart to prioritize Trevor Bauer over J.T. Realmuto this winter.

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