Trevor Bauer signed with the Yokohama BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in Japan two months after being released by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I am very excited to be able to play for the BayStars this season. It is my dream to play in the Japanese professional baseball world, and I will be able to show that dream in front of the fans,” Bauer said in a staatement.
“As a team, I don’t think there is a better team than the BayStars. I am very happy to have the opportunity to become a member of a wonderful team and aim for the championship together. I miss the players and the fans. I’m already looking forward to it, and I’m looking forward to seeing you in the city of Yokohama.”
According to multiple reports, Bauer’s contract with the BayStars is worth $3 million and includes performance and marketing incentives.
Bauer signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers in February 2021. He made just 17 starts that season before being placed on paid administrative leave amid sexual assault allegations.
Last April, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred suspended Bauer 324 games for violating the league’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy. Bauer appealed the suspension, which an independent arbitrator ultimately reduced to 194 games and reinstated him from the restricted list effective immediately.
That put the Dodgers on a timeline to either reinstate Bauer, trade or release him. They reportedly did not find any interest on the trade market for the 32-year-old.
“The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused,” the team said in a statement at the time of releasing Bauer.
“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.”
Do the Dodgers still have to pay Trevor Bauer?
Due to an independent arbitrator making Bauer eligible to play this season, the Dodgers must pay him $22.5 million in salary for 2023.
Bauer signing with the BayStars does not have any impact on the amount the Dodgers are paying Bauer. Had Bauer signed with an MLB club — which presumably would have been to be for the league minimum ($720,000) — that amount was to be deducted from what the Dodgers owe Bauer.
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