MLB Is Finally Recognizing the Negro Leagues as the Major Leagues They Always Were

Negro League statistics from 1920 to 1948 will now be officially classified as “major league,” marking a long-overdue acknowledgment of the accomplishments of players who didn’t have the opportunity to play in the American or National Leagues

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Mets offer to free agent pitcher Trevor Bauer would approach record-setting average annual contract

Bob Nightengale
USA TODAY Correction: A previous version of the headline and this story misstated the Mets offer to Trevor Bauer. The offer would approach Gerrit Cole's $36 million average value on his nine-year, $324 million contract signed a year ago.

The New York Mets have formally offered free-agent starter Trevor Bauer a contract that would make him one of baseball’s highest-paid players on an annual average salary, a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports.

The deal would approach -- but not eclipse -- New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole’s $36 million average value on his nine-year, $324 million contract signed a year ago, and it would be much shorter in length, said the person, who was granted anonymity because of the on-going negotiations.

The Mets made the aggressive offer in recent weeks, and have since stayed in close contact with Bauer. Yet, while the offer still stands, one team official cautioned that the Mets still are evaluating all aspects of Bauer’s strong social media presence, particularly in the light of the GM Jared Porter’s firing last week for sexual harassment.

Bauer has had several public clashes on Twitter, including an exchange two years ago with a female student at Texas State University, in which Bauer later apologized on Twitter.
He issued a statement last week on his social media presence, which has sparked backlash on Twitter against several others, including a reporter from the New York Daily News.

“I have always tried to be an open book and appreciate that social media gives me a platform to have an open dialogue with fans and the greater public,’’ Bauer said in his statement, first reported by The Athletic. “I don’t shy away from confrontation and am often quick to defend myself, but I am by no means a bully and I take great offense to my character being called into question. I understand what comes with having a following on social media but I have never asked for nor do I condone anyone making threats or lewd comments on my behalf.’’

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The Mets, who also are exploring options besides Bauer, believe the signing of Bauer would put them in strong position to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016. They already acquired All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and starter Carlos Carrasco two weeks ago in a trade with Cleveland.
Bauer, who won the NL Cy Young award in baseball’s shortened season last year with a 1.73 ERA, would anchor a powerful rotation that would include two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, Marcus Stroman, Carlos Carrasco, David Peterson and Steven Matz. Noah Syndergaard also is expected to return from Tommy John elbow surgery in mid-summer.

Bauer would likely put the Mets over the $210 million luxury tax threshold for the first time in franchise history, but they also have Steven Cohen as their new owner, the richest in all of baseball, whose worth is valued at more than $14 billion.

It’s unknown whether Bauer has any other formal offers, but it’s unlikely any team has made a higher bid, establishing the Mets as the clear favorites to land baseball’s top free-agent pitcher.