The Los Angeles Dodgers made the splash of the offseason, reportedly agreeing to sign free-agent pitcher and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer to a three-year contract.
While the deal has not yet been officially announced by the team, it is expected to be three years and $102 million with opt-outs after each of the first two seasons. Bauer will earn $40 million in 2021 and $45 million in 2022, which will make him the highest-paid player in Major League history each of those two seasons.
The deal came as a bit of a surprise considering it was unclear if the Dodgers would go over the luxury tax threshold in 2021. Additionally, the New York Mets were also reportedly in strong pursuit of Bauer and may have even offered him more total money.
Ultimately, the Dodgers made an offer good enough to play for his hometown team and with a chance to compete for multiple World Series over the next few years.
Dodgers teammates David Price and Cody Bellinger were among those to take to social media to share their reaction upon learning of the Bauer signing.
wow!!
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) February 5, 2021
Simple message from Belli in response to #Dodgers signing Bauer. pic.twitter.com/e9EU0rAfXh
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) February 6, 2021
With the addition of Bauer, it is safe the say the Dodgers have the best rotation in all of baseball as he joins a pair of fellow Cy Young winners in Price and Clayton Kershaw, as well as young studs like Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin.
That actually makes for a pretty crowded rotation, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see one name from that bunch traded before Opening Day. Price would be the prime candidate to get dealt as the team won a World Series without him in 2020, and they would be able to save some money if he was to be traded as opposed to the younger arms.
Price’s name has come up in recent trade rumors as someone the organization would be open to dealing, although it remains to be seen if anything will come to fruition before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in a couple of weeks.
Dodgers continuing to negotiate with Turner
Now that they have added another ace to their rotation, the only thing left for the Dodgers this season is the addition of a right-handed bat, preferably one that plays third base.
The best option still available is, of course, Justin Turner, and reports indicate the addition of Bauer has not stopped L.A. from continuing to negotiate with one of their organization’s brightest stars in recent years.
If the Dodgers are able to bring back Turner, then that would finish out a very successful offseason coming off a World Series title.
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