Mets Morning News: Bauer chooses Dodgers over Mets Meet the MetsIn a bidding war that lasted

well into the afternoon yesterday, Trevor Bauer ultimately decided to sign with the Dodgers; his contract is a three-year, $102 million deal with opt-outs after both years, comparable to what the Mets offered. “The Mets, who already had failed to land two of the offseason’s other top free agents, catcher J.T. Realmuto and center fielder George Springer, will not necessarily regret losing this time,” writes Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.Jerry Beach takes a look back on the last time a free agent pitcher chose another big offer over the Mets. It worked out pretty well. Steve Cohen articulated a desire to emulate the Dodgers in his ownership style and the reason why was never more obvious than it was yesterday, writes Joel Sherman of the Post.David Lennon of Newsday thought that Bauer and his agent Rachel Luba “could have handled Friday’s snub of the Mets with a smidge more diplomacy” between “the online trolling https://www.nymgear.com/kevin-pillar-jersey,” “the bait-and-switch merchandise on Bauer’s personal website Jeff McNeil Jersey,” and “the hijacking of LFGM.” Though the Mets didn’t sign any of the top free agents, they still have made significant upgrades and now have the flexibility to do more, writes Tim Healey of Newsday.Meanwhile, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com takes a look at where the Mets can go from here, looking toward perhaps extending Francisco Lindor or Michael Conforto. The Mets won their arbitration case with J.D. Davis. He will make $2.1 million for the 2021 season.Around the National League EastThe Braves signed Marcell Ozuna to a four-year, $64 million contract with a club option for a fifth year. Jake Mailhot of FanGraphs takes a look at the back-end of the Phillies’ rotation, given the additions they have made of late. The Nationals signed infielder Jordy Mercer to a minor league deal with an invite to big league spring training. Around Major League BaseballPlayer safety is not the reason why MLB owners want to delay the season, writes Dennis Young of the New York Daily News.Even adjusting for the shortened season, the average MLB salary fell for a third straight year. The BBWAA voted overwhelmingly to remove J.G. Taylor Spink’s name from its award, which is now called the BBWAA Career Excellence Award. The Pulaski River Turtles are the newest addition to the Appalachian League. Minor League Baseball posted a throwback video of Patrick Mahomes—who is about to appear in his second straight Super Bowl—playing in USA Baseball’s Breakthrough Series in Durham in 2012.Ken Davidoff of the Post chatted with a couple of former players about retirement benefits for the class of players who simply had a cup of coffee in the majors. Jonathan Schoop signed a one-year https://www.nymgear.com/khalil-lee-jersey, $4.5 million contract with the Tigers. Yesterday at Amazin’ AvenueChristian Romo and Brian Salvatore covered yesterday’s Bauer drama and where the Mets can go from here. This Date in Mets HistorySteve Cohen’s first effort to purchase the Mets failed after the future owner gave it his “best shot” on this date one year ago.