After serving the longest suspension in the history of Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy, Trevor Bauer has been reinstated and is eligible to pitch Opening Day. But for whom he might take the hill for is an open question.
Given the choice to add Bauer back to their roster, the Los Angeles Dodgers decided to designate him for assignment, eating his $22.5 million salary. If he’s not traded, Bauer will become a free agent.
Bauer, the Cy Young Award winner in 2019, pitched only 17 games for Los Angeles after signing a three-year, $102 million deal in 2021. His 324-game suspension got reduced to 194 last month, clearing him for a return. But a team will have to sign him — and wear the inevitable fan backlash — for that to happen.
According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants won’t be that team.
Wrote Shea: “According to someone familiar with the Giants’ thinking, they won’t pursue Bauer, and good for them.”
Bauer has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women. After an MLB investigation, commissioner Rob Manfred decided to suspend him for two full seasons without pay.
Bauer never faced criminal charges and has denied all allegations. His shortened suspension came from a neutral arbitrator after he appealed.
Bauer last pitched in June of 2021. MLB has also since instituted stricter enforcement of its sticky stuff ban, possibly impacting his effectiveness.
The Giants lost ace Carlos Rodón in free agency, but have a full rotation with Logan Webb, Alex Cobb, Ross Stripling, Sean Manaea, Anthony DeSclafani and Alex Wood.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Padres similarly don’t plan to pursue Bauer, leaving the Diamondbacks as the only possible National League West team to add him.
If failing to land a franchise-altering superstar has been a public relations nightmare for the Giants, imagine the outrage if they signed Bauer. It appears that hypothetical isn’t a relevant concern.
