It’s been quite a fall from grace for former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer.
Once heavily-courted and looking to be one of the premier pitchers in baseball, Bauer has been for all intents and purposes blacklisted from MLB.
After signing a three year, $102 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers back in 2021, Bauer faced sexual assault allegations that quickly derailed his career.
MLB placed him on administrative leave as they investigated the allegations.
Ultimately he was suspended for 324 games by commissioner Rob Manfred.
That suspension ended up being reduced to 194 games, but it was clear that he was no longer in the Dodgers’ plans, and he was released in January of this year.
Needing a home, and knowing it won’t be in Major League Baseball anytime soon, if ever, Bauer signed a one year contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am to be playing for the BayStars this year,” Bauer said in a video posted by the team. “Playing in the NPB has always been a dream of mine, and I can’t think of a better organization to do it with.”
Bauer hasn’t pitched in nearly two years…
Former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer is finalizing a one-year contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan, sources tell ESPN. Bauer was released by the Dodgers and went unsigned by MLB teams after serving a record domestic-violence suspension. Deal will be official tonight.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 13, 2023
It will be very interesting to see what the future holds for Bauer.
The baseball world reacted to the news on social media…
“Why on gods green earth would you be pleased to announce this?”
Why on gods green earth would you be pleased to announce this?
— Clay Buchholz fan account (@BuchholzReturn) March 14, 2023
— Warren (@swd2) March 14, 2023
“Going to absolutely dominate that league. Probably set a bunch of single season records.”
Going to absolutely dominate that league. Probably set a bunch of single season records
— FireHand SportsCards (@FireHand17) March 13, 2023
“Yankee should have signed him considering most of their staff will miss most of the year with injuries.”
Yankee should have signed him considering most of their staff will miss most of the year with injuries.
— Bucky Gruntz (@BuckyGruntz) March 13, 2023
“Excited for this opportunity!”
— にしこう (@Nishikou1109) March 14, 2023
“Fans will keep it in the news. If he had only one case of being an F up sure- but everywhere he’s gone- he’s trouble for the PR team.”
Fans will keep it in the news. If he had only one case of being an F up sure- but everywhere he’s gone- he’s trouble for the PR team.
— Kevin Zelko (@Msbeervendor) March 13, 2023
“He’s going to try and show that he can still pitch. Dodgers still paying his salary for this season. I believe he’s looking for next season to catch on stateside.”
He's going to try and show that he can still pitch. Dodgers still paying his salary for this season. I believe he's looking for next season to catch on stateside.
— R Ely (@REly08843729) March 13, 2023