The Dodgers waited until just before Friday's deadline to announce what their plans were for Trevor Bauer, who had been reinstated from a record-setting MLB suspension by an independent arbitrator on Dec. 22. Los Angeles ultimately decided to part ways with the embattled pitcher.
MORE: Trevor Bauer sexual assault allegations, explained
Los Angeles announced that Bauer would not be part of the organization going forward. The team's statement, in full:
"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 available evidence in this case — one by Commissioner [Rob] 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."
The club later designated Bauer for assignment.
The Dodgers had 14 days from the date of reinstatement to place Bauer back on their 40-man roster or cut him.
Bauer was suspended after being accused of sexual assault by a San Diego woman who said he performed multiple sexual acts on her without her consent. Two other women later accused him of sexual misconduct. Bauer has denied wrongdoing in all instances. He has sued the San Diego woman and her attorney, as well as multiple media outlets, for defamation.
On April 29, 2022, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred suspended Bauer for 324 games following a league investigation. It was the longest suspension in MLB history for violations of the league's domestic violence and sexual assault policy. Bauer appealed the ban, and on Dec. 22, abitrator Martin F. Scheinman reduced the suspension to 194 games and said Bauer was eligible to be reinstated immediately.
Per Scheinman's decision, Bauer will forfeit his pay for the first 50 games of the 2023 season in addition to the pay he was docked for the 144 games he was suspended last season.
Here's what the Dodgers' decision to designate Bauer for assignment means for him and the team.
What DFA of Trevor Bauer means
By designating Bauer for assignment, the Dodgers are buying more time to make a trade before they have to release him. If no trade is made by Jan. 12, LA will need to place Bauer on unconditional release waivers. The other 29 MLB teams will then have a chance to claim him off waivers. If Bauer goes unclaimed, then he will become a free agent who can sign with any club.
Bauer responded to the Dodgers' announcement by saying that his representatives had met with the club about him rejoining the team, adding he spoke Thursday with "team leadership," who he said told him they wanted him to pitch for the team in 2023.
"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 in his statement.
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) January 7, 2023
Two Dodgers officials told USA Today's Bob Nightengale that the organization never conveyed any sentiments to Bauer that the team had interest in bringing him back. Los Angeles officials reportedly said they wanted to speak to him directly, and team executives met him in Phoenix to decide if he deserved another chance. However, sources told Nightengale Bauer showed no remorse and didn't apologize, which led the team to make the decision that he would not return as a Dodger.
Nightengale previously reported that the Dodgers would explore trading Bauer before Friday's deadline but would release the pitcher if no club showed interest. Given that no trade was made prior to Friday, it stands to reason that he won't be traded during the seven-day DFA period and will be released.
It also stands to reason that he won't be claimed on waivers if he is released.
Bauer is guaranteed $22.5 million this season. That is the remainder of his 2023 salary after being docked his pay for the season's first 50 games. He was scheduled to make $32 million in the final year of the three-year, $102 million contract he signed with LA before the 2021 season. If a team claims Bauer off waivers, it would have to take on his contract and the $22.5 million.
Should Bauer clear waivers, become a free agent and then sign with another team, the signing team would have to pay him just the minimum MLB salary of $720,000, or a prorated portion of it if the deal is signed during the season. The Dodgers would be on the hook for $22.5 million minus what Bauer's new team pays him.
The Dodgers did not have to pay Bauer during the 144 games he was suspended in 2022.
