The New York Mets have become "more focused" on signing National League Cy Young Award winner since losing out on center fielder George Springer to the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Springer signed a six-year, $150 million deal with Toronto after New York was reportedly unwilling to go beyond $120 million. Bauer is seeking a deal with an annual average value of $35 million, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, who noted Thursday the Mets and Los Angeles Angels were the front-runners to land the ace.