It may now be easy for Los Angeles Dodgers fans to forget that Trevor Bauer is still technically part of the team.
Well, so much so he is getting paid, even if he doesn’t step on the field.
To the surprise of no one, his administrative leave has been extended once again.
MLB and MLBPA have agreed to extend Trevor Bauer’s admin leave through 9/10
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) September 3, 2021
So why is his leave continually extended without any sort of suspension?
That all has to do with the legal process taking place in Southern California.
Where It Stands Now
The latest legal update was that Bauer avoided a restraining order against him.
But his actions with the woman who wanted the restraining order upheld have been shared to the public and it is an understatement to say they are disturbing.
His case is now in the hands of the District Attorney’s Office, which has the power to formally bring charges against him.
Yet even if no charges are brought, MLB is likely to hand down a suspension for Bauer clearly violating the domestic violence policy.
Among the many questions answered in this story is one about Trevor Bauer's potential return to the Dodgers this year. All of the different paths lead to the same answer: He is not coming back this season. https://t.co/f1GeWKz6mf pic.twitter.com/xtXu5SrEyS
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 31, 2021
For those wondering if he will play again this season, that is an obvious no.
What about ever?
That may depend on what the DA decides to do.
If he is charged, then a career will likely be out the door.
If he is not, it will come down to an MLB team giving him a shot and also figuring out what the Dodgers will do with his contract if a suspension does not cover the remaining two years of options he holds.
He still has $64 million on the books in the form of player options in 2022 and 2023.
A Sudden Fall From Grace
Bauer was once seen as a visionary for getting such a large deal and doing so in his usual brash manner.
But there were warning signs about his behavior in the past.
The Dodgers felt comfortable enough to sign him and are now, quite literally, paying the price.
The 2020 National League Cy Young winner is now a pariah, and many would argue rightfully so.
This is just such a bizarre situation that while not unprecedented, is not a usual occurrence for such a star player.
Good news for Dodgers fans comes with the fact the team is still playing at an elite level.
Injuries, and this absence, have hit the staff but the addition of Max Scherzer should have fans forgetting about Bauer in the first place.
Ownership is not forgetting because they are paying him, but it’s much better than just having him out on the field and ignoring his actions.
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