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ESPN is predicting the Giants to get...

Hangman

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Trevor Bauer: Bauer has been on his own tier among free-agent pitchers ever since the World Series ended. Part of that is because he was the best pitcher available; part of it is he is several years younger than the other best pitchers available.

Why is the only ace-level free-agent pitcher on the market still dangling out there for anyone to grab? Again, there is a dual answer: His scarce combination of skill and age gives him a lot of economic leverage. Also, he's Trevor Bauer. There is a lot that comes with adding that name to your roster.

That's certainly not to suggest that teams wouldn't want Bauer because of his outspoken ways. It's more that there are a lot of atypical items on his list of wants, which makes matching up a bit more complicated than coughing up the highest AAV. Still, the bottom line is the important one, which is that Bauer is the one pitcher left on the market who most moves the competitive needle for every team in the major leagues. There hasn't been much in the way of meaty information about Bauer on the rumor mill, beyond his own confirmation that he was going to speak with the Blue Jays a couple of weeks back. That makes the task of projecting Bauer's landing place one without the guidance of many decipherable tea leaves.

Prediction: Giants. The Giants are a sleeping, well, giant with few long-term payroll commitments. Other factors: The creative fit between Bauer and the Farhan Zaidi-led front office, the ballpark, and even the proximity of the club to Silicon Valley might appeal to a player so interested in what technology can do for his game and his personal brand. It's a combination that makes this an ideal match. -- Bradford Doolittle

 

LHG

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Trevor Bauer: Bauer has been on his own tier among free-agent pitchers ever since the World Series ended. Part of that is because he was the best pitcher available; part of it is he is several years younger than the other best pitchers available.

Why is the only ace-level free-agent pitcher on the market still dangling out there for anyone to grab? Again, there is a dual answer: His scarce combination of skill and age gives him a lot of economic leverage. Also, he's Trevor Bauer. There is a lot that comes with adding that name to your roster.

That's certainly not to suggest that teams wouldn't want Bauer because of his outspoken ways. It's more that there are a lot of atypical items on his list of wants, which makes matching up a bit more complicated than coughing up the highest AAV. Still, the bottom line is the important one, which is that Bauer is the one pitcher left on the market who most moves the competitive needle for every team in the major leagues. There hasn't been much in the way of meaty information about Bauer on the rumor mill, beyond his own confirmation that he was going to speak with the Blue Jays a couple of weeks back. That makes the task of projecting Bauer's landing place one without the guidance of many decipherable tea leaves.

Prediction: Giants. The Giants are a sleeping, well, giant with few long-term payroll commitments. Other factors: The creative fit between Bauer and the Farhan Zaidi-led front office, the ballpark, and even the proximity of the club to Silicon Valley might appeal to a player so interested in what technology can do for his game and his personal brand. It's a combination that makes this an ideal match. -- Bradford Doolittle

The reason for the prediction seems like a stretch. Why would a pitcher sign to be close to Silicon Valley? He doesn't need to be close to there to further his brand. That's like saying George Springer will sign with the Tigers because he really likes cars. This may be a good signing for the Giants but I doubt it happens. Bauer has made it clear he wants to play for an instant contender. That is not the Giants. Of course, rumors like this would work in his favor in negotiations. And I have to remember that Bauer also once said that he'll only sign 1 year deals as a free agent but that seems to have been thrown by the wayside. Yet I still don't expect him to sign with the Giants.
 

LHG

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"A Bauer-Dodgers union still feels like a long shot to most industry sources, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be pitching in the Los Angeles area . . .
Based on conversations with sources, the two teams believed to have the best shot at Bauer are the Mets and the Angels."
 

LHG

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"A Bauer-Dodgers union still feels like a long shot to most industry sources, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be pitching in the Los Angeles area . . .
Based on conversations with sources, the two teams believed to have the best shot at Bauer are the Mets and the Angels."
This writer was not on target with his assumption with the Dodgers not being close to signing Bauer or maybe the Dodgers really did just come out of nowhere (but I have my doubts, given the video Bauer suddenly released upon the announcement). And crap, that's a lot of money he's going to get!
 
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