The Los Angeles Dodgers are once again dealing with a sticky situation, that being the ongoing saga with right-hander Trevor Bauer.
Bauer was on his way to becoming one of the best pitchers in all of baseball in 2021 before news broke of sexual assault allegations against him.
Recently, MLB decided to reduce the length of his suspension and allowed the right-hander to be reinstated after serving 50 more games.
The Dodgers have until Friday to decide what to do with the 31-year-old.
The expectation is that the team will release him, as he is in the final year of his contract.
On an MLB podcast, former pitcher David Cone offered a warning for any team that may consider approaching Bauer if he is released.
"It's a PR nightmare for any team to try and approach Trevor Bauer" –@dcone36 pic.twitter.com/RE8BAnYj6m
— Toeing The Slab (@ToeingTheSlab) January 4, 2023
Cone brings up some valid points here.
While Bauer is one of the game’s best pitchers, it is going to be hard for the Dodgers, or any team for that matter, to be able to distance themselves from all of the drama surrounding the veteran right-hander.
Bauer may not have been charged, but there is still cause for concern.
If the Dodgers are the keep him, they will be forced to deal with extreme scrutiny from the media and fans for allowing him to return.
Cone correctly pointed out that despite Bauer not being charged, there is still reason to believe that something took place off the field that could ultimately become a distraction for any team that may approach him for his services.
We’ll see what the Dodgers decide to do with him.
NEXT: The Dodgers Got A Bargain On Their Newest Pitcher