Tomorrow is January 6, which means the Los Angeles Dodgers have just one more business day to decide what to do with embattled right-hander Trevor Bauer.
Bauer was placed on paid administrative leave after allegations of sexual assault surfaced.
Bauer was ultimately not charged, but MLB chose to suspend the veteran right-hander for 324 games.
The suspension has since been reduced and Bauer has been reinstated, though he’ll still have to sit out the first 50 games of the 2023 season, regardless of what happens.
USA Today’s top MLB insider Bob Nightengale gave an update on the situation, stating that if Los Angeles cannot find a team willing to take him, Bauer is expected to be released by the team.
The right-hander is owed $22.5 million this season.
The Los Angeles #Dodgers have until the end of the business day on Friday to reinstate or release Trevor Bauer.
If they are unable to find a team willing to acquire him in a trade, they remain expected to release him. He is owed $22.5 million in 2023.— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 5, 2023
The expectation is still that the Dodgers will ultimately choose to release Bauer, as it is unlikely that any team will be willing to acquire him.
The right-hander won the National League Cy Young Award in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, posting an ERA of 1.73.
The 31-year-old was signed by the Dodgers prior to the 2021 season and got off to a strong start before the onset of the allegations.
Bauer went 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 starts.
The Dodgers have a tough situation on their hands, but it could all be over tomorrow, whether they can find a team to acquire the righty or end up having to release him.
It’s unlikely that the Dodgers will choose to keep Bauer around will all of the drama still surrounding him.
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