Today is the final day that the Los Angeles Dodgers have before they decide what to do with right-hander Trevor Bauer.
The 31-year-old has been at the center of controversy ever since allegations of sexual assault surfaced.
After news of the allegations broke, Bauer was placed on paid administrative leave before MLB ultimately decided to issue him a 324-game suspension.
The suspension was reduced and Bauer will soon be reinstated, though he’ll still have to serve 50 more games.
On Twitter, MLB insider Jon Heyman made a prediction about the situation, saying that it could go either way, with the Dodgers either keeping him around or getting rid of him.
Dodgers always have been very pr conscious and cognizant about clubhouse and fans but no assumption should be made here. Call could go either way (as story mentions, they owe him $22.5M either way). https://t.co/1vCTpFKhGF
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 6, 2023
There is obviously a ton of speculation happening as of now.
The popular consensus is that the Dodgers will ultimately release him, as it is unlikely that they will find a team willing to acquire him.
Still, it isn’t confirmed yet what the Dodgers will end up deciding to do.
Regardless of what happens, Los Angeles is still on the hook for $22.5 million.
This is the final year of the three-year deal Bauer had signed with the Dodgers prior to the start of the 2021 season.
The deal included two opt-out clauses after each of the first two seasons.
There is still a chance that the Dodgers could retain Bauer, but given the recent trend of events and the distractions off the field, it seems likely that the Dodgers will ultimately decide to let him go, either by releasing him or trading him to a team that may be willing to acquire him.
NEXT: MLB Insider Gives An Update On Trevor Bauer