It seems that the market for Trevor Bauer’s pitching services is shrinking quickly with both the New York Yankees and New York Mets not expected to pursue the former Los Angeles Dodgers starter.
In December an arbitrator reinstated disgraced ace pitcher Trevor Bauer after MLB suspended him for 324 games following allegations of sexual assault by multiple women. While the 31-year-old was never officially charged, the league found enough evidence in their own independent investigation that made handing down one of the biggest non-PED suspensions in history a sensible decision.
While the Dodgers — Bauer’s most recent team — could certainly use the addition of a talented starter to their rotation, the locker room reportedly wanted nothing to do with him in 2023, and the organization chose to designate him for assignment and set up his eventual release on Friday.
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With starting pitching at a premium there is a belief that Trevor Bauer will still garner solid interest in MLB free agency despite his serious trouble off the field. However, it seems that some of the major players on the open market have no intention of pursuing the one-time All-Star.
Trevor Bauer reportedly will need to find a ‘team on another planet’ to play in 2023
On Thursday, New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman reported on the interest around the league for Bauer and the contending teams that are not interested. “The Mets and Yankees will not go for Trevor Bauer, according to sources, either in trade by the Friday deadline or as a free agent,” Heyman wrote.
- Trevor Bauer stats (2021): 8-5 record, 2.59 ERA, 1.003 WHIP, 137 SO, 107.2 IP
Along with the New York Yankees and Mets, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported last week that the San Diego Padres also will not pursue Bauer. While Heyman speculated one of the pitcher’s previous teams, the Cincinnati Reds, could be a good fit there is no evidence they will actually target him in MLB free agency.
Opinions on Trevor Bauer’s value following his off-the-field troubles vary, however, it seems like the majority lean in the direction against signing him. One “decision maker” informed Heyman that if he intends to play professional baseball in 2023, it will have to be with a “team on another planet.”