The Los Angeles Dodgers have a busy offseason ahead of them as 11 players became free agents Wednesday morning. That number could increase depending on whether they pick up or decline Joe Kelly’s $12 million team option, and the fallout of Trevor Bauer’s situation amid MLB’s investigation into alleged sexual assault.
Bauer holds a $32 million player option for the 2022 season but has been on the restricted list since July following a San Diego woman obtaining an ex parte restraining order. Pasadena police and MLB launched separate investigations into the claims, with neither producing a resolution thus far.
The temporary restraining order has since been lifted by Judge Dianna Gould-Saltman, and the Pasadena Police Department also turned their findings over to the L.A. district attorney’s office, who is yet to decide whether or not criminal charges will be filed.
Even if Bauer isn’t charged, he still faces the possibility of a suspension levied by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. The right-hander likely would appeal any type of punishment and not look to settle, per Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times:
“Trevor is not going to accept a plea to anything,” said one person familiar with Bauer’s general thought process. “It’s just not in his nature. I think this could get nothing but ugly.”
With the expectation that Manfred will suspend Bauer regardless of criminal charges being filed or not, the two sides appear set for a showdown.
Previous offenders of MLB’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy have received anywhere from a 15-game to a 162-game suspension. Some in the league believe Bauer ultimately could be banned for two full seasons.
As the Dodgers await a ruling from MLB on their Bauer investigation, several members of the organization reportedly were angered by him returning to social media last month.
Bauer yet to meet with MLB investigators
One potential reason why Manfred has not yet made a decision on Bauer is because the league wants to interview him first. Every indication is that will remain a stalemate until the district attorney files charges or dismisses the case.
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