The Los Angeles Dodgers have a sticky situation on their hands, and it all centers around whether or not we’ll see Trevor Bauer pitch in 2022.
Bauer was signed to a three-year, $102 million contract by the Dodgers prior to the 2021 season that was on track to be the richest three-year deal a pitcher has ever signed, and one that included a player opt-out after the each of the first two seasons.
Bauer, who at the time was the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, got off to a solid start, going 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA.
However, it was soon revealed that Bauer had been accused of sexual assault.
Thus began a full-scale investigation by Major League Baseball, who then put the right-hander on paid administrative leave.
Bauer’s 2021 season came to an abrupt end, and for all we know, his Dodgers’ tenure, as well as his Major League career may be over soon as well.
What Happened?
Bauer was accused of assaulting a woman during a sexual encounter in Pasadena, California, who then sought a restraining order against the right-hander.
The woman claimed she had been punched and choked until she fell unconscious.
A woman accusing Trevor Bauer of domestic violence and sexual assault testified for about four hours on the first day of a hearing to determine whether a temporary restraining order against the Dodgers pitcher will become permanent. https://t.co/RNhptiRvH6 pic.twitter.com/7jyaObp185
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 17, 2021
The woman later released images of the injuries she had suffered during her encounter with Bauer.
However, the restraining order was lifted in August, and earlier this month, it was announced that Bauer would not be charged, after police were unable to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Bauer had crossed any lines based on the woman consenting to rough sex.
Will Trevor Bauer Pitch In 2022?
So now the question is: Will Bauer pitch in 2022?
Despite the ongoing investigation, Bauer did not opt-out after year one of his contract with the Dodgers.
He is set to make $45 million this season.
But despite not being charged, Bauer is not safe from punishment from the league, as Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times has stated that commissioner Rob Manfred is “widely expected” to suspend the Dodgers’ pitcher.
The ‘expectation’ is that MLB may ‘pursue a suspension of at least one year’ for Trevor Bauer after sexual assault case, per @JeffPassan
Details: https://t.co/76ZoRHuZfP pic.twitter.com/35S9d6oBuL
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) August 31, 2021
It’s worth noting that even if the woman consented to rough sex, that doesn’t mean that there wasn’t a point where Bauer may have crossed a line.
MLB’s ongoing investigation also includes allegations against Bauer from an Ohio woman, who accused the former Cy Young winner of punching and choking her without consent during a sexual encounter.
More importantly, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reported that the majority of Bauer’s Dodger teammates did not want him back, citing him as “a pariah in his own clubhouse”.
So, in all likelihood, Bauer’s Major League career is over.
MLB has since stiffened its penalties for sexual assault and domestic violence.
The case was similar for Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
Ozuna was put on paid administrative leave after he was arrested for domestic violence in May of last year.
It seems to be a forgone conclusion that Bauer will suffer a suspension.
And given DiGiovanna’s reports that his teammates do not seem to want him back, the decision by Manfred to suspend Bauer will come soon.
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