Trevor Bauer Is Not Worth It

[Peter Labuza]

After almost 18 months of speculations, court filings, and vague statements from Rob Manfred, Trevor Bauer was finally released from the Dodgers on Friday, January 6th.

Image courtesy of Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

(Content warning: This story includes allegations of sexual assault that may be difficult to read and emotionally upsetting.)

Unwilling to entertain his presence on the team, the Los Angeles Dodgers still owe Bauer an additional $22.5 million for the 2023 season, making him officially free to play for any team interested in paying the league minimum salary ($720,000) to sign him. The Dodgers will be on the hook for the rest. Many fan bases across baseball have speculated on what he might bring for a rotation. However, no consideration of stats should erase the obvious: Bauer’s presence on the Twins would be bad for the team, bad for fans, and bad for baseball.

Trevor Bauer signed as a free agent with the Dodgers in 2021 on a creative three-year deal. However, in July of that year, allegations of sexual misconduct came to light after a woman filed a restraining order that detailed two separate incidents. In his own legal filings, Bauer did not deny some of the particularly brutish details of the victim's injuries but claimed they were entirely consensual.

The Dodgers, acting slower than what many fans expected, placed Bauer on administrative leave pending a further investigation from MLB. During that process, the Washington Post published two separate stories following allegations that claimed similar violent behavior by Bauer during his time with Cleveland. 

After completing their own investigation, MLB announced a suspension of Bauer for violating the league’s domestic violence policy – a record 324 days. Bauer appealed, and after a second extensive investigation by an independent and binding arbitrator, the sentence was reduced to 194 days, making him eligible to play at the beginning of the 2023 season. That sentence, however, was still noted as the longest in MLB’s short history of domestic violence enforcement.

Although Bauer has disputed some of the facts of the original allegations, and the LA district attorney declined to file criminal charges, there are a number of other key elements to consider with the pitcher. He has been vocal on social media, attacking numerous media members and especially female-identifying fans, targeting them for harassment. He has voiced anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, attacked trans individuals, and generally brought negative attention to himself on a regular basis. Bauer was considered "MLB's most hated man" long before all of this transpired.

Through the allegations and investigations, Bauer has remained vocal in trying to put himself back in the spotlight and shown little to no remorse. In fact, he still has a case open for defamation against former beat writer Molly Knight for publishing details about the case (a similar suit against The Athletic was dismissed). Unlike other cases of players who served sentences and have at least done their best to center on the game, Bauer has demonstrated an interest in creating more hassle and negative media buzz for any team interested in bringing him aboard. In fact, in his statement about his release, Bauer poisoned the waters by claiming the Dodgers allegedly told him they wanted him to play for the team as late as the day before his release. 

Different from the “let the kids play” mentality of the younger generation of baseball players, he has also occasionally made a mockery of the game and sportsmanship, particularly an incident in Cleveland where he refused to give up the game ball and tossed it into the centerfield bleachers. Bauer relished playing the villain in the Dodgers uniform and doing everything to make opposing fans boo him. Stories quickly arose after Bauer’s suspension from teammates in Los Angeles who felt his negativity not just on the field but within the clubhouse. At least one Dodgers pitcher—former Twins prospect Brusdar Graterol—almost immediately liked the Dodger's Instagram post announcing the release.

 

Twins fans already saw what happens when one player tries to make themselves an MLB villain a few years ago with the signing of Josh Donaldson. Though he played two above-average seasons for the Twins, the apparent animosity he created between himself and other players no doubt did not bode well during their frustrating 2021 season. Although never openly stated, the discussion of “better vibes” in 2022 from a number of Twins players became quickly clear that many felt the trade with the Yankees was for the better. Bauer’s laundry list of behaviors would be a more extreme version of Donaldson in a Twins clubhouse. 

Most importantly, Bauer’s signing would show a sign of entire indifference toward a wide swath of Twins fans. For many Dodgers fans, Bauer in a uniform demonstrated the worst of MLB’s attitude toward an entire gender of fans of baseball, at a time in which the growth of female fans has pointed a better direction for the sport. The fact the Dodgers took a month to decide what should have been obvious was a blow to fans frustrated at the team’s callous care toward payroll or winning. As Ken Rosenthal pointed to in his own column on the subject, "Some decisions, though, are so necessary, so important, they should not require much thought."

It’s hard to ever think baseball will ever love you back, but there’s at least a version without Trevor Bauer’s hands bringing both old and likely new behavior behavior to Minnesota. No matter the value he might bring on the mound, Trevor Bauer is not worth it. 
 

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[Brock Beauchamp]

Well said. Bauer is a notorious problem in the clubhouse and on the field. And that was before the sexual misconduct allegations. And it appears he hasn't changed even a little bit. If anything, now he's more vocal.

Hard pass as hard as one can pass on something.

[PDX Twin]

Maybe Al Davis's ghost can assemble a team with Bauer, Donaldson, and others to emulate the 1970s Oakland Raiders...

Big NO for the Twins.

[SanoMustGo]

I say bring him in, and send him to AA.  let him ride the bus for a year

[MN_ExPat]

That's a fair assessment.  While other players have done the same type of things, or possibly worse, few have been as polarizing personality wise as Bauer (or in other words he seems to have an almost pathological need to be a waste orifice).

While I do believe players and people deserve a second chance usually (it's sad to see a player possibly just throw away all that talent because he's stupid), it's hard make a case for someone who just keeps getting in their own way.  

Note: A few folks may have seen my blog entry on the same thing, again... I'm not condoning or campaigning to pick him up, and I'm pretty sure the FO won't even consider it beyond the most ephemeral of fleeting thoughts. 

[Fatbat]

Is he even healthy or in shape? Hard pass. 

[Teflon]

The only positive in signing Bauer is he wouldn't have to face Max Kepler.

[baul0010]

No.  Just say no.  I'd rather have resigned Astudillo to be our 5th starter.

[Doctor Gast]

On 1/9/2023 at 11:48 AM, MN_ExPat said:

That's a fair assessment.  While other players have done the same type of things, or possibly worse, few have been as polarizing personality wise as Bauer (or in other words he seems to have an almost pathological need to be a waste orifice).

While I do believe players and people deserve a second chance usually (it's sad to see a player possibly just throw away all that talent because he's stupid), it's hard make a case for someone who just keeps getting in their own way.  

Note: A few folks may have seen my blog entry on the same thing, again... I'm not condoning or campaigning to pick him up, and I'm pretty sure the FO won't even consider it beyond the most ephemeral of fleeting thoughts. 

I don't like social media, I don't follow Instagram, Twitter or the like. because I don't like the c**p that goes on there. So I can't comment on his actions there. All I know is that he hasn't been convicted by the courts and he's paid dues to MLB , on a Dodger podcast the fans overwhelmingly are in favor of LAD bringing him back, supposingly many Dodgers want him back and Manfred would like him out of MLB because of all the things he exposes (which I think is a great thing for MLB). 

For these reasons and that he's an ace that can really help this club on the cheap, I'm open for the Twins to obtain him. Morris was not a clubhouse guy yet he was a big factor in the Twins winning the '91 WS. Like I've stated before Bauer is crazy, can the Twins reform him? maybe but probably not, Can the Twins convince him that it'd be in his own best interest to tone it down? I hope so. If Bauer is indeed a liability, I'll be on the bandwagon to trade him or release him & only being out very little or nothing at all.

We can debate this all we want but in the end this FO won't go out & get him because they like to keep things under wraps & Bauer won't let that happen. This FO isn't interested in results they are interested in the process, which they don't want to be known.

[cHawk]

1 hour ago, Teflon said:

The only positive in signing Bauer is he wouldn't have to face Max Kepler.

That is a positive...for Bauer, which in turn makes it a negative for the rest of us.

[chpettit19]

25 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I don't like social media, I don't follow Instagram, Twitter or the like. because I don't like the c**p that goes on there. So I can't comment on his actions there. All I know is that he hasn't been convicted by the courts and he's paid dues to MLB , on a Dodger podcast the fans overwhelmingly are in favor of LAD bringing him back, supposingly many Dodgers want him back and Manfred would like him out of MLB because of all the things he exposes (which I think is a great thing for MLB). 

For these reasons and that he's an ace that can really help this club on the cheap, I'm open for the Twins to obtain him. Morris was not a clubhouse guy yet he was a big factor in the Twins winning the '91 WS. Like I've stated before Bauer is crazy, can the Twins reform him? maybe but probably not, Can the Twins convince him that it'd be in his own best interest to tone it down? I hope so. If Bauer is indeed a liability, I'll be on the bandwagon to trade him or release him & only being out very little or nothing at all.

We can debate this all we want but in the end this FO won't go out & get him because they like to keep things under wraps & Bauer won't let that happen.

I think the point of this article is that Bauer won't tone it down. He's never toned it down. He's never showed any sign of even considering toning it down. If him toning it down needs to happen for you, or any fan, or the FO, or ownership, to be comfortable bringing him in then he's not an option. He's been disliked by a large chunk of his clubhouse going back to his time at UCLA. That's over a decade of not toning it down. He's still on social media acting like a jackass. There's no evidence he's ever provided during his 15 years in the public view that suggests he'd ever even consider toning it down. This is who he is.

[Beast]

Another note I forgot to mention:

It was hilarious when he threw the ball over the center field fence.  That really hurt people feelings?  Good grief.

That goes both ways too. Everyone seems to want people to pimp home runs, bat flip, show up other players with ridiculous celebrations for everything….there’s a polar opposite to that you have to accept then too.  Get used to people throwing and slamming bats when strike out.  Bash water coolers.  Throw balls over fences.

[Trov]

Even without the legal stuff, I still would not want Bauer to come to Twins.  He is not good enough to deal with the headaches he gives.  He was constantly commenting on political and social issues, and being know as a bad club house guy, by doing things like throw the ball into centerfield stands when he gets pulled from game.  

[chpettit19]

38 minutes ago, Beast said:

Another note I forgot to mention:

It was hilarious when he threw the ball over the center field fence.  That really hurt people feelings?  Good grief.

That goes both ways too. Everyone seems to want people to pimp home runs, bat flip, show up other players with ridiculous celebrations for everything….there’s a polar opposite to that you have to accept then too.  Get used to people throwing and slamming bats when strike out.  Bash water coolers.  Throw balls over fences.

I don't know that it hurt anyone's feelings. And I don't see it's connection to bat flips, or even bashing water coolers. He showed up his manager in the middle of the field. I chuckled when he did it, but it's very different to show up your manager on the pitcher's mound than it is to be upset with yourself for performing poorly and smashing a water cooler after you get pulled. There's a reason he's left behind a legacy of not being liked in every clubhouse he's ever been in. Bauer even seemed to agree since he was actually willing to apologize for that throw. Apologized to his whole team after that one.

[hitterscount]

This shouldn’t even be a consideration, the man is toxic and his actions after and during his suspension show what a POS he is.

I don’t think enough emphasis is placed on having a clubhouse that truly gets along and roots for each other. I have no knowledge of this, but maybe it hasn’t been the best the past few years? You look at the World Series teams and they had it… unfortunately that’s been 3 decades ago.

 

[Mark G]

Do we want a former front line pitcher who is still only 31, and has the potential to be a front line pitcher again?  And do we want him for the MLB minimum wage?  No investment we couldn't walk away from the instant we see he no longer has it?  A possible investment in the future if he rounds back into form?  We would be lying to ourselves if we said no.  But........and it is a big but.........do we want the clubhouse drama that might come with it, along with the negative press?  31 teams are going to ask themselves that question, and I am willing to bet at least one makes him an offer.  Should it be us?  I doubt it, only because of how sensitive this market is and the backlash that would come with it.  But professional sports is littered with guys that can't keep their emotions in check or their mouths shut and everyone survives.  Just look at professional wrestling.  As opposed to golf.  ?

I think we would be amazed at how short a time it would take to either cut bait with him or forgive him for the past.  But this is a minefield we will probably be wise passing on.  

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

I think the point of this article is that Bauer won't tone it down. He's never toned it down. He's never showed any sign of even considering toning it down. If him toning it down needs to happen for you, or any fan, or the FO, or ownership, to be comfortable bringing him in then he's not an option. He's been disliked by a large chunk of his clubhouse going back to his time at UCLA. That's over a decade of not toning it down. He's still on social media acting like a jackass. There's no evidence he's ever provided during his 15 years in the public view that suggests he'd ever even consider toning it down. This is who he is.

I believe the point of the article is "Is Bauer Worth it?" not that he can't tone it down. One thing that I didn't like what Bauer did, was him not giving the ball to Francona & instead throwing ball over the fence. That was lack of respect to a man that deserved it. Later he apologized to him & his teammates. In that respect he has toned it down.

Francona stated that Bauer was let go because "Bauer could be toxic to the clubhouse", not that he was. But people used that statement for an excuse to condemn him. Bauer had no problems with the Reds, they wanted him back and many Dodgers wanted him back. Is Bauer disliked by some teammates? yes. & I don't especially care for him. Was Morris disliked by some teammates? yes. But if you asked any of those Twins if they preferred not having Morris  & not win the '91 WS or winning the WS with him, they'd choose the later.

So Is Bauer worth it? I've said it's worth a try.

[Brandon]

3 hours ago, Teflon said:

The only positive in signing Bauer is he wouldn't have to face Max Kepler.

So you say there is an opening in Cleveland…. It would be a boon to Keplers season to send Bauer there.

if he is poisonous for the clubhouse I agree.  Since all my info is second hand, I am ok if Twins management gives him a short leash ( meaning if he acts up in any way he’s out) too.

[se7799]

3 hours ago, PDX Twin said:

Maybe Al Davis's ghost can assemble a team with Bauer, Donaldson, and others to emulate the 1970s Oakland Raiders...

Big NO for the Twins.

Donaldson is not and never will be like Bauer.  He's actually a positive person and helps many.  But ya..if you read he's a bad person by somebody that doesn't even know him...I guess it must be true.

[chpettit19]

40 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I believe the point of the article is "Is Bauer Worth it?" not that he can't tone it down. One thing that I didn't like what Bauer did, was him not giving the ball to Francona & instead throwing ball over the fence. That was lack of respect to a man that deserved it. Later he apologized to him & his teammates. In that respect he has toned it down.

Francona stated that Bauer was let go because "Bauer could be toxic to the clubhouse", not that he was. But people used that statement for an excuse to condemn him. Bauer had no problems with the Reds, they wanted him back and many Dodgers wanted him back. Is Bauer disliked by some teammates? yes. Was Morris disliked by some teammates? yes. But if you asked any of those Twins if they preferred not having Morris  & not win the '91 WS or winning the WS with him, they'd choose the later.

So Is Bauer worth it? I've said it's worth a try.

Yes, "Is Bauer Worth It?" based on what he brings to the table as a person. And then it goes on to list a whole bunch of reasons why we should have no thought that he's going to change who he is, and how he acts, since he hasn't done it in 15 years in the spotlight.

You're misunderstanding the use of the word "could" in that sentence. He wasn't using "could" in the "it's possible" sense, but instead in the "past tense of can" sense. They didn't trade him because they thought it might be possible at some hypothetical future time he might be a problem. They traded him because he already was a problem. 

"Many Dodgers wanted him back?" How many is many? Clearly not enough that the FO cared since they DFA'd him. If the leaders of the Dodgers clubhouse were clamoring for him to be back you don't think he'd be back? The top of the Dodgers organization flew to Phoenix at the end of last week and met with Bauer to give him a shot to show he deserved a 2nd chance. He clearly didn't impress them since he's no longer a part of their organization. Actually, all the reports coming out of that meeting is that Bauer showed no remorse, didn't apologize for anything, and made no attempt to show he was willing to change in anyway. Or, as you questioned in your first post, he showed no signs that the Dodgers would have any ability to get him to "tone it down." If the Dodgers and their top end franchise couldn't "convince him that it'd be in his own best interest to tone it down" why would we think the Twins could?

Edited to add: There's also reports that the Dodgers tried to trade him while eating his contract, but no teams would make that move.

[garn from vancouver]

he is a cancer. if the twins were to sign him that would likely end my fan relationship with this team. not that they would care - but that would be it.

[adjacent]

From a technical pitching point he can help the Twins. True that he hasn't been convicted of anything. However, have you ever worked with someone who has a bad behavior? That constantly creates problems? It is a nightmare and usually results in an overall decrease in performance by the team, even when the individual is talented. For that reason, I say no.

[Litdus]

I think its pretty hypocritical if people are fine walking through gate 34 and by his statue but have a problem with employing TB.

[strumdatjag]

As a fairness-identifying fan: I have only one question: Should we presume him guilty when prosecutors who are more knowledgeable of the facts and merits of the case have declined to prosecute?   Those  prosecutors reviewed all of the reports, and had access to the witnesses.  If the evidence is that flimsy, then the Twins should consider signing Bauer to a contract.  At his best, Trevor Bauer is an ace. 

[mikelink45]

This is Minnesota - What is NICE about Bauer?

[Squirrel]

41 minutes ago, strumdatjag said:

As a fairness-identifying fan: I have only one question: Should we presume him guilty when prosecutors who are more knowledgeable of the facts and merits of the case have declined to prosecute?   Those  prosecutors reviewed all of the reports, and had access to the witnesses.  If the evidence is that flimsy, then the Twins should consider signing Bauer to a contract.  At his best, Trevor Bauer is an ace. 

As a fairness minded fan ... most are looking at Bauer the teammate more than anything else. He has a proven track record of not being a good teammate or baseball colleague, of players not wanting him there, of being a bad clubhouse presence. Even if he can still contribute as a high end pitcher (he hasn't pitched for almost 2 seasons), I still think the cost is too high given the other things about him as a player and teammate. And these were issues long before any allegations came out. The player and teammate alone gives me a 'no, not on my team' response. 

[Stew]

I would say no to him. But I would hope the twins don't consider him a project like the broken down pitchers they pick up. He after all would only cost them 720,000 dollars. I would think that the problems would be to great. However I did see an article that listed some of the teams that might take him. And if they would win it all, would there be a lot of regrets?

[Nine of twelve]

5 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

All I know is that he hasn't been convicted by the courts and he's paid dues to MLB

I posted this on the other thread and I'm going to post it here as well.

Maybe that's true. Maybe not, I don't know. But thousands of people sign contracts every day proscribing conduct that is not illegal. Several U of M football players were expelled several years ago because their conduct, while not illegal, fell outside the terms that all students agree to abide by when they enroll. I don't know the detailed ins and outs of the MLB CBA, but I expect that Bauer's conduct fell outside the terms he agreed to when he signed his contract.

And I don't care about any other concerns. I don't care if he's the second coming of Nolan Ryan on the mound. If I were running an MLB front office I would never sign him to play on my team.

[wsnydes]

Legal problems or not, he's never shown to be a good teammate.  That's simply not in his DNA apparently.  With an extended time away from playing, we have no real idea of what they'd be getting as a player either.  For all of the clamoring for a leader in this team, signing Bauer would be going in the opposite direction.

[Fat Calvin]

Ah, why not?  A one year deal?  It would shake things up,  And I think we need a good shaking.  "Minnesota Nice" hasn't gotten us very far.  So let's try "Minnesota In Your Face!"  It's worth a shot.  (I also thing "club chemistry" and being a nice team mate is overrated.  Do you think Ty Cobb brought warm fuzzies to the club house?  No, the son of a bitch just brought in three American League pennants to Tiger Town.  Granted, he never won a world series; but three pennants--especially from where we sit--ain't too shabby.