The Los Angeles Dodgers are clearly prepared to continue on without the services of Trevor Bauer.
The team swung a huge deal for ace Max Scherzer, who now stands as the likely starter in any do-or-die postseason game.
Such is the benefit of having an owner with no real budget.
Bauer has been on administrative leave since July 2 and just had it extended once again.
MLB and the union have agreed to extend Trevor Bauer’s admin leave another week through Aug. 20
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 13, 2021
The extension comes because Bauer is due back in court early next week.
But even if everything gets cleared up, it remains highly unlikely he returns to the mound for the Dodgers in 2021 or ever.
MLB Treading Lightly
MLB and the Dodgers could easily just have let Bauer return as the legal process plays out, the same thing as to what is going on with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.
However, he was initially placed on leave at a time when all sides may have thought this situation would resolve itself fast.
Yet the legal process can take time and Bauer’s return to court may not even be for the final time.
This continuing state of paid leave proves MLB wants to tread lightly in the manner.
MLB and MLBPA agreed to extend Trevor Bauer’s paid administrative leave to Aug. 20, per league official. His hearing for an ex-parte TRO begins Aug. 16.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) August 13, 2021
Bauer is still getting paid, so it’s not like the union has a fight on its hands.
As for the union itself, they can basically continue to get Bauer paid, according to his contract, without fighting for him to return.
The ultimate takeaway here is that no one is really pushing for Bauer to make a return.
The Dodgers seem content to pretend he doesn’t exist and the league is acting like any other business would in this matter.
No Chance A Return Happens
If Bauer comes out of this with no restraining order or charges, MLB will likely drop the leave and put this back in the hands of the Dodgers.
So what would happen then?
It would be shocking, based on reports, to see Bauer back in Dodger Blue this year.
But the team can’t just suspend him without cause.
So it may come down to Bauer being cut and the team just eating all that money.
That may be the noble thing to do given the way the team has already separated itself from him so far.
Adding Scherzer to an already stacked rotation proves the Dodgers have moved on as well.
This situation will continue to play out with Bauer getting paid and everyone pretending he is no longer on the Dodgers.
If he is cleared in court, a return to the mound would be a total shock.
That is not based on personal opinion, but rather what the Dodgers have shown so far.
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