After agreeing to a three-year contract, Trevor Bauer anticipated having a far shorter stay with the Los Angeles Dodgers than Mookie Betts, who immediately established himself as a crucial component of the team’s long-term future.
Following the team’s first World Series victory since 1988, Bauer signed a record-setting contract with the Dodgers, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman hailed him as a key player in the team’s potential to win the championship again.
After being placed on administrative leave by the MLB as they looked into allegations of sexual assault, Bauer’s tenure with the Dodgers was cut short at less than half of the season. Even when an arbitrator shortened Bauer’s 324-game punishment to 194 games and promptly reinstated him on the restricted list, the Dodgers terminated Bauer in January 2023.
Two months later, Bauer signed a contract with the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Yokohama BayStars in Japan as a result. According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, Betts expressed his desire that organizations will take Bauer under consideration for a contract, even though his status and potential return to MLB are uncertain.
Betts stated, “It’s something to think about.”
Betts continued his eulogious speech by talking about his old teammate and their brief relationship:
“My encounter with Bauer is not at all like the experiences of any other person. adore him. I think he’s a really great man. the private matters? I am powerless. I am powerless. Needless to say, nothing ever came of it.
“He’s a fantastic pitcher. He’s a wonderful man who desires to tackle the mound every other day. But ultimately, it’s not up to me to decide. Making that choice is not as easy as playing baseball.
Regarding how receptive players were to Bauer possibly joining the Dodgers again, there were differing accounts. The right-hander said some Dodgers wanted him back on the team, but team president and CEO Stan Kasten stated the executive office decided unanimously to release him.
Before being placed on the restricted list in 2021, Bauer only made 17 starts in the regular season. Despite the record ban given by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, Bauer never faced criminal charges and recently reached a deal with one of his accusers.
There have been complaints of sexual assault from other women as well.
The Braves gave Trevor Bauer money.
Bauer’s eligibility to play this season was granted by an independent arbitrator, so the Dodgers were forced to pay his $22.5 million 2023 salary.