What will the Dodgers do now that MLB has reinstated their pitcher Trevor Bauer?
Whether the Dodgers keep him or release him, the ethical questions that have arisen will have to be faced by whichever team decides to take a chance on the pitcher.
With reports confirming, that an arbitrator has reduced Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer’s suspension under the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy from 324 games to 194 games, Bauer can now take to the field once again. That being said, it’s still the longest suspension in the history of the league’s policy.
Dodgers’ Trevor Bauer gets reinstated
According to an announcement from Major League Baseball on Thursday, Dodgers’ pitcher Trevor Bauer has finally been reinstated after serving a portion of his lengthy suspension. “We have just been informed of the arbitrator’s ruling and will comment as soon as practical,” read a statement from the Dodgers following the league’s announcement. Important to note, is the fact that Bauer’s removal from the restricted list and subsequent reinstatement is effective immediately, however, according to Rule 2(c), the Dodgers have a further two weeks to list him on their roster. With January 6th as the deadline, the team will now have to determine whether they want Bauer back or they’d prefer to release him. What is certain, is that the franchise will have to pay Bauer’s 2022 salary regardless of what the choose to do.
What did MLB say about the Trevor Bauer decision?
If you’re wondering about what exactly the league said regarding the decision, you can read their full statement below:
“Today, the neutral arbitrator selected by MLB and the MLBPA affirmed that Trevor Bauer violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. After an exhaustive review of the available evidence the neutral arbitrator upheld an unpaid suspension of 194 games. As part of the decision, the arbitrator reinstated Mr. Bauer effectively immediately, with a loss of pay covering the 144 games he was suspended during the 2022 season. In addition, the arbitrator docked Bauer’s salary for the first 50 games of the 2023 season (i.e., the period covering March 30, 2023 to May 23, 2023). While we believe a longer suspension was warranted, MLB will abide by the neutral arbitrator’s decision, which upholds baseball’s longest-ever active player suspension for sexual assault or domestic violence. We understand this process was difficult for the witnesses involved and we thank them for their participation. Due to the collectively bargained confidentiality provisions of the joint program, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”
What did Trevor Bauer do?
If you missed it, then let’s go back to June 28th, 2021 which is the last time the 31-year-old pitch. Just days after that game, Bauer was accused of assault and placed on administrative leave by MLB, as the league attempted to conduct its own investigation into the matter. Alongside the league’s probe, the Pasadena Police Department also initiated an inquiry, but later announced on February 8th of this year, that the Dodgers’ pitcher would face no criminal charges in connection with the allegations that he faced. At that point, the league turned to its collectively bargained domestic violence policy as means to discipline Bauer - though no charges were filed against him - and handed him the longest ban in MLB history.
Regarding the allegations themselves, reports described the details of a woman’s encounters with Bauer which she herself stated were initially consensual. “I agreed to have consensual sex; however, I did not agree or consent to what he did next. I did not agree to be sexually assaulted,” the woman said at the time. It is understood that the subsequent restraining order request filed by the woman alleged that Bauer strangled and punched the her.
What will the Dodgers do about Trevor Bauer?
Winner of the 2020 NL Cy Young award, Bauer made 17 starts with the Dodgers in 2021 before being placed on leave. The pitcher was signed by the Dodgers signed on a three-year contract worth $102 million in February of 2021. Interestingly, the contract included opt-out clauses after each season, which many believe will lead to the Dodgers releasing him rather than maintaining him. Indeed, Bauer’s possible return to the Dodgers’ roster would understandably create a whole host of ethical questions. Bauer will forfeit $37.5 million of his total salary due to the suspension, however, it could have been as much as $60 million had he served the intended 324 games.