The Los Angeles had two weeks to make a decision on Trevor Bauer after arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman reduced MLB’s record suspension from 324 games to 194 and immediately reinstated him from the restricted list.
After exploring a potential trade, the team provided the right-hander with his unconditional release on January 12. Following the announcement, Bauer said in a statement that L.A. told him they wanted him to pitch for them this year and received support from players in the clubhouse.
Although not on the record, Dodgers representatives refuted the notion that Bauer was given such a message. President and CEO Stan Kasten publicly confirmed that earlier this week, noting the decision to cut ties with Bauer was unanimous.
Kasten specified that the Dodgers asked various players, coaches, staff members and fans before releasing Bauer, per ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez:
The Dodgers, Kasten said, spoke with “a representative sample” of players, coaches, staffers and fans to gauge their thoughts on Bauer potentially returning to the team.
Kasten and Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously declined to comment on Bauer due to MLB rules restricting what can be said about free agents and the possibility of him filing a grievance if he felt his market was impacted by statements made.
However, Kasten’s recent comments suggest the Dodgers kept an open mind and surveyed different parts of the organization before reaching a conclusion on Bauer. Kasten added their decision was “unanimous” among the organization’s leadership group.
What’s next for Trevor Bauer?
Bauer has been free to sign with any team for the last three weeks but there are no indications he is close to doing so. The Dodgers owe him $22.5 million this year, though any contract signed with a new team would be deducted from that amount.
Bauer went 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA over 17 starts in his lone season with the club. He last pitched for the Dodgers on June 28, 2021.
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