The Los Angeles Dodgers were given two weeks from the time Trevor Bauer had his suspension reduced and was immediately reinstated, and now have reached the penultimate day before the deadline.
Immediately after independent arbitrator Martin F. Scheinman reduced Bauer’s suspension to 194 games, it was reported the Dodgers intended to release the right-hander. Such a decision does not formally need to be made until Friday afternoon.
If the Dodgers don’t release Bauer, their additional options include trading him or keeping the 31-year-old on their roster for the final year of his contract.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports, the Dodgers will release Bauer if they aren’t able to complete a trade by the January 6 deadline:
The Los Angeles #Dodgers have until the end of the business day on Friday to reinstate or release Trevor Bauer.
If they are unable to find a team willing to acquire him in a trade, they remain expected to release him. He is owed $22.5 million in 2023.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 5, 2023
The Dodgers signed Bauer to a three-year, $102 million contract in February 2021. He made 17 starts during his first year with the team before being placed on paid administrative leave due to sexual assault allegations brought forth by a woman in San Diego. Two additional women from Ohio have made similar allegations.
If the Dodgers do release Bauer, they still would owe him $22.5 million in salary for 2023. That number was reduced from what he originally was due to make this year because Scheinman’s ruling additionally included docking Bauer’s pay for the first 50 games of the season.
Although Scheinman reduced Bauer’s suspension and made him eligible to play, he affirmed the polarizing pitcher did violate the league’s joint domestic violence and sexual assault policy. Bauer’s 194-game suspension is still the longest levied under MLB’s policy.
Do Dodgers players want Trevor Bauer back?
During the initial few weeks after Bauer was put on leave, it was reported a majority of the Dodgers clubhouse had soured on the possibility of him ever returning to the team.
More recently, it was reiterated players don’t want Bauer to return with the Dodgers. However, that was followed by a report indicating some players informed the front office of their desire to have Bauer back.
No Dodgers player has publicly commented on the matter.
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