Nearly two years after being accused of sexual assault and suspended, the saga of Trevor Bauer and the Los Angeles Dodgers is over.
Bauer’s last MLB appearance came on June 28, 2021. The following day, allegations of sexual assault became public. He later had a restraining order filed against him and in early July of 2021, he was placed on seven-day administrative leave. That leave was extended, Bauer was eventually suspended for 324 games. That suspension was eventually reduced and Bauer was reinstated in the final days of 2022.
On Friday, just over two weeks after he was reinstated, the Dodgers announced that they were parting ways with Bauer.
“The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused,” the statement said. “From the beginning, we have fully cooperated with Major League Baseball’s investigation and strictly followed the process stipulated under MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Two extensive reviews of all the available evidence in this case – one by Commissioner Manfred and another by a neutral arbitrator – concluded that Mr. Bauer’s actions warranted the longest ever active player suspension in our sport for violations of this policy. Now that this process has been completed, and after careful consideration, we have decided that he will no longer be part of our organization.”
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 7, 2023
Jeff Passan of ESPN clarified what that meant, as far as Bauer’s future in baseball.
“The Los Angeles Dodgers are designating right-hander Trevor Bauer for assignment, sources tell ESPN,” Passan said. “The Dodgers will eat $22.5 million. Bauer can sign with any major league team for the $720,000 minimum and can play immediately after completing a record-long suspension.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers are designating right-hander Trevor Bauer for assignment, sources tell ESPN.
The Dodgers will eat $22.5 million. Bauer can sign with any major league team for the $720,000 minimum and can play immediately after completing a record-long suspension.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 7, 2023
Given that he’s been out of the game for nearly two years, there’s certainly a lingering question about how effective Bauer would be as a pitcher. But if he returns to his pre-suspension form, he’d be one of the best in baseball. Bauer won the National League Cy Young Award as a member of the Cincinnati Reds in 2020. Prior to his suspension in 2021, he posted a 2.59 ERA, 1.003 WHIP and struck out 137 batters in 107.2 innings pitched in his first season with the Dodgers.
Of course, Bauer — much like Deshaun Watson in the NFL — can’t be viewed strictly by what he’d bring on the field. He’s rightfully a controversial player and would be considered a polarizing addition to any team.
[Los Angeles Dodgers on Twitter]
