The Los Angeles Dodgers have parted ways with Trevor Bauer, one of their most prized – and controversial – starting pitchers following an unprecedented suspension handed down by the MLB over sexual assault allegations.
Bauer saw his suspension concluded two weeks ago by an independent arbitrator, who reduced his suspension from 324 games to 194 already served.
What this means: The arbitrator’s move triggered a 14-day window for the Dodgers’ front office to make a move relative to Bauer, including adding him to their 40-man active roster. They opted to designate him for assignment and place him on waivers.
- The move to DFA costs the Dodgers $22.5 million owed to Bauer for the final season of his contract.
- Los Angeles could save would save $720,000, the major league minimum, if another team signs him in the open market.
What they’re saying: The Dodgers walked through the rationale of the move to ditch Bauer. For his part, Bauer claimed the team was ramping up for him to return to the mound at Chavez Ravine.
- Per the team’s statement on Friday: “The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused. From the beginning, we have fully cooperated with Major League Baseball’s investigation and strictly followed the process stipulated under MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Two extensive reviews of all the available evidence in this case – one by Commissioner Manfred and another by a neutral arbitrator – concluded that Mr. Bauer’s actions warranted the longest ever active player suspension in our sport for violations of this policy. Now that this process has been completed, and after careful consideration, we have decided that he will no longer be part of our organization.”
- “While we were unable to communicate throughout the administrative leave and arbitration process, my representatives spoke to Dodgers leadership immediately following the arbitration decision. Following two weeks of conversations around my return to the organization, I sat down with Dodgers leadership in Arizona yesterday who told me that they wanted me to return and pitch for the team this year. While I am disappointed by the organization’s decision today, I appreciate the wealth of support I’ve received from the Dodgers clubhouse. I wish the players all the best and look forward to competing elsewhere,” Bauer said.
Go deeper: Bauer’s legal trouble began one day after he signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers.
- A then-27-year-old woman from San Diego filed a request for a domestic violence restraining order in which she alleged that Bauer assaulted her over the course of two sexual encounters at his home in Pasadena in April and May of 2021.
- Bauer continually has denied wrongdoing related to the case. He defeated the request for a permanent restraining order in Los Angeles County Superior Court and saw the L.A. District Attorney decline to file charges last February
- However, two additional women have made assault allegations to the press.
