The Trevor Bauer saga took a step toward some finality last week with the Los Angeles Dodgers designating the right-hander for assignment. They then were unable to complete a trade, and Bauer has been released by the Dodgers.
“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.
“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.”
In choosing to DFA Bauer, the Dodgers gave themselves seven days to potentially work out a trade. That didn’t figure to be a likely outcome considering reports L.A. had already looked into a possible trade before last week’s decision.
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 recently reduced to 194 games and reinstated him from the restricted list effective immediately.
Although Scheinman reduced the suspension, he affirmed Bauer violated MLB’s sexual assault policy and docked his pay for the first 50 games of the 2023 season.
Who can Trevor Bauer sign with?
Bauer now is a free agent for the second time in three years and can join any team. The San Diego Padres and New York Mets reportedly have already decided against potentially signing the 31-year-old.
The Dodgers signed Bauer to a three-year, $102 million contract in February 2021. He made just 17 starts before being placed on paid administrative leave amid sexual assault allegations.
The Dodgers will pay Bauer a $22.5 million salary this year. However, any contract he may sign with a new team — presumed to be for the league minimum ($720,000) — will be deducted from the amount L.A. owes.
Regardless of what decision they made, the Dodgers essentially faced a scenario where they were going to have to pay salary to Bauer for 2023. It’s put them over the luxury tax threshold, which the front office seemingly had been operating to avoid in 2023 in order to reset penalties.
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