The Dodgers announced Thursday that they have given up right-handers Trevor Bauer his unconditional release. Los Angeles designated Bauer for action last week and scouted trading opportunities for the right-hander but couldn’t find a match. He now becomes a free agent who can sign with a new team for the league minimum. The Dodgers will remain on the hook for the remainder of Bauer’s $22.5 million deal.
Bauer’s release marks the conclusion of the Dodgers’ relationship with the right, who signed them to a three-year, $102 million deal during the 2020-21 offseason. Bauer, then entering the season at 30, had just been named the National League’s Cy Young winner in the shortened 2020 season when he pitched 73 innings with 1.73 ERA balls for the Reds. The contract included Bauer opt-outs after each season — similar (but larger in scope) to previous free-agent deals between the Dodgers and Scott Kazmir (three years, $48 million) and the Mets and Yoenis Cespedes (three years, $75 million).
Bauer was successful in 17 starts with Los Angeles and had a 2.59 ERA in 107 2/3 innings early in the 2021 season. That summer, it emerged that a woman in California had issued a restraining order against Bauer and accused him of sexual assault, prompting a tumultuous investigation by both Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles County Attorney’s Office. He spent the remainder of the season on paid administrative leave – a mutually agreed placement that is standard practice when players are investigated for alleged violations of the league’s joint policy on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Two other women, both in Ohio, eventually made similar allegations against Bauer.
The California plaintiff’s request for a long-term restraining order was denied in August 2021, with a judge ruling that Bauer posed no ongoing threat to his accuser. The LA District Attorney declined to pursue criminal charges, stating, “After a thorough review of the available evidence, including the civil restraining order process, witness testimony and physical evidence, the people are unable to support the relevant charges.” to be proven beyond a doubt.”
Despite the lack of criminal charges, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said Bauer did in fact violate league policy and implemented a record 324-game suspension back in April. Bauer appealed the suspension, and after sitting out the entire 2022 season, his suspension was reduced to 194 games – already served in full. Bauer has been reinstated and can return to the mound immediately for any team looking to sign him.
The Yankees and Mets have no plans to pursue Bauer, according to The New York Post’s Jon Heyman. The Padres are also disinterested, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Bryce Miller, and so are the Guardians, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes. Dan Hayes of The Athletic tweets that the twins have no intention of speaking to Bauer either.