Trevor Bauer to Yokohama BayStars

[cmoss84]

Although the majority of MLB teams will not even consider signing Trevor Bauer to join their club, he will inevitably be pitching for someone in 2023. This is a strangely curious topic for me, and I am intrigued where everyone predicts he will ultimately end up. Below is my rankings list of potential Bauer suiters, along with a few of my thoughts. Would you be surprised if the Yankees sign him? Where do you think he ends up? Thank you for your thoughts!

(30) LAD

(29) TOR (doubtful Canada lets him in the country)

(28) HOU (probably not a good way to help rebuild your franchise's reputation)

(27) SEA

(26) St. Louis

(25) LAA (Angels would have been a potential landing spot for me...if many of his ex-girlfriends did not preside in LA)

(24) MIA

(23) MIN

 

*The following teams are all wildcards for me and come in at a tie. You might argue they are rebuilding teams or teams out of contention, and they do not want their clubhouses poisoned by Bauer's antics. Or they want to give their prospects playing time over a veteran. However, it only takes one of these teams to roll the dice, hoping that he might stay out of trouble until the trade deadline, where they can flip his nearly-free contract for some decent prospects to a team desperate for pitching in the playoffs*

(22-18)

KC, DET, OAK, WASH, PIT

 

*Former teams, willing to give him another chance...for whatever reason(s)*

(17-15)

CLE, CIN, ARI

(14) COL (Do their moves ever make sense?)

 

*Bauer might be assassinated if he messes up again in these places*

(13-10)

BOS, TEX, PHI, ATL

(9) Baltimore

(8) SD

(7) NYM

(6) CHI White Sox

(5) SF (I don't know why...just seems like it might happen)

(4) NYY

(3) CHI Cubs (Desperate to win again and desperate for SP)

(2) MIL (For some reason I can see them signing him under the radar to have MAYBE the best rotation in the game...Burnes, Woodruff, Peralta, Bauer, etc.)

(1) TB (many of you will disagree with this, but here are my points: fits their budget, keeps him away from other AL East teams, can be used in a variety of their pitching schemes/strategies...opener, starter, middle relief, etc...otherwise, flipped for prospects) 

 

*Forgot to add this little tidbit...I can see him signing later in the year...either when things blow over a little more or when injuries occur*

 

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

1.) China
2.) Mexico
3.) Japan
4.) Korea

[cmoss84]

1 minute ago, Seth Stohs said:

1.) China
2.) Mexico
3.) Japan
4.) Korea

you don't think he ends up signing with anyone??

might be right, but someone will bite...

[Brad.dahlen]

I am also intrigued by everyone acting like he is untouchable. We have many examples of teams in every major men's league with players with very serious crimes that they were convicted of! 

 

In the same calendar year that Desean Watson played football, I find it hard to believe that no team will see the value of adding the 2020 Cy Young Award winner while letting the Dodgers pay for it. 

 

I will take a swing and predict he signs with the Cubs. 

[cmoss84]

I am terrible at creating polls...if someone doesn't mind, can you create a simple "yes" or "no" poll for if you think Bauer pitches in the bigs this year? Please and thank you! 

[James]

36 minutes ago, Brad.dahlen said:

I am also intrigued by everyone acting like he is untouchable. We have many examples of teams in every major men's league with players with very serious crimes that they were convicted of! 

 

In the same calendar year that Desean Watson played football, I find it hard to believe that no team will see the value of adding the 2020 Cy Young Award winner while letting the Dodgers pay for it. 

 

I will take a swing and predict he signs with the Cubs. 

I may be speaking for others, but my thought is that no team will touch him this year.  What he's accused of is a lot for a PR team to gloss over, but can be done (see Watson). 

The difference between him and Watson is that Bauer is already thought of as a difficult team member, doesn't seem to care about improving his image, and, most importantly, doesn't show even the slightest bit of remorse or even understanding of the issue.  

The man seems like a predator and teams are likely concerned that this is a pattern and there seems that it will be likely that something like this may happen again. I don't think any team will be willing to take on a person like that.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

1.) China
2.) Mexico
3.) Japan
4.) Korea

I'll second Japan. He may need to go overseas for a second chance.

[DJL44]

Quote

(1) TB (many of you will disagree with this, but here are my points: fits their budget, keeps him away from other AL East teams, can be used in a variety of their pitching schemes/strategies...opener, starter, middle relief, etc...otherwise, flipped for prospects) 

This has the added advantage that there are no fans to scare away.

[tony&rodney]

No Asian team will consider Bauer. 

Maybe Venezuela , but I cannot think of any other baseball opportunities. Bauer could always officially retire and become a full time blogger/influencer. It might be his preference anyway.

[Brad.dahlen]

14 minutes ago, James said:

I may be speaking for others, but my thought is that no team will touch him this year.  What he's accused of is a lot for a PR team to gloss over, but can be done (see Watson). 

The difference between him and Watson is that Bauer is already thought of as a difficult team member, doesn't seem to care about improving his image, and, most importantly, doesn't show even the slightest bit of remorse or even understanding of the issue.  

The man seems like a predator and teams are likely concerned that this is a pattern and there seems that it will be likely that something like this may happen again. I don't think any team will be willing to take on a person like that.

I forgot to mention your second point, and I totally agree. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that he was one of the biggest jerks in the league BEFORE these accusations. 

 

Also, for some reason it seems like teams are less likely to deal with PR nightmares in the MLB compared to other leagues. Maybe just recency bias.

[James]

58 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

No Asian team will consider Bauer. 

Maybe Venezuela , but I cannot think of any other baseball opportunities. Bauer could always officially retire and become a full time blogger/influencer. It might be his preference anyway.

I believe if he officially retires he would forfeit his contract.  He's not putting in any paperwork until that contract is officially over and paid.

[DJL44]

Oakland has nothing to lose. Their attendance is already last in MLB, it isn't going to get more last. They might see attendance go up if people come just to yell mean things at Trevor Bauer.

[weitz41]

My money is on the:

LG Twins

[ashbury]

No team.

[MMMordabito]

Nashville Predators? Are they looking to upgrade at enforceher?

[Trov]

3 hours ago, cmoss84 said:

you don't think he ends up signing with anyone??

might be right, but someone will bite...

I think it will take him putting forth some good PR to find a team willing to take him on.  If it was just about the numbers he would be one of the higher free agents, but being he is very toxic right now, so much that the Dodgers are willing to pay him a lot of money to not pitch.  

If Bauer is willing to put forth a I am a changed man and fall on his sword approach, I think a team will take the risk, but so far he has said the, yeah I did it, but she asked me to do it. Not his exact words, but it is reported that was his defense was it was consent, and that he did not mean to punch her so hard to cause injuries. 

If he continues to double down on that kind of a defense, I could not see a single team willing to take him on.  If he settles his legal stuff, and asks for forgiveness, shows he is willing to educate himself on things, then maybe a team will take him on. 

[Squirrel]

3 hours ago, cmoss84 said:

I am terrible at creating polls...if someone doesn't mind, can you create a simple "yes" or "no" poll for if you think Bauer pitches in the bigs this year? Please and thank you! 

I added a poll to your original post, and voted.

[Craig Arko]

Elon Musk may be looking for folks to take to Mars.

[cmoss84]

21 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I added a poll to your original post, and voted.

Thank you-much appreciated!

[Cris E]

Bonds had a lot left in the tank and is still at home. Bauer is a complete tool in the locker room and in the press and leaves less room for teams to maneuver.  Plus MLB has been pretty serious about the domestic violence in recent years and Bauer's case has been especially gross, given his unapologetic, 50 Shades defense of himself.  I see him doing podcasts during spring training with Aroldis Chapman and Carlos Martinez with Sam Dyson Zooming in from Mexico. 

[Musk21]

Bauer is set to sign with the Yokohama DeNA Baystars of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization in Japan for 1 year/$4 million + incentives.

[MN_ExPat]

11 minutes ago, Musk21 said:

Bauer is set to sign with the Yokohama DeNA Baystars of the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization in Japan for 1 year/$4 million + incentives.

Figured it was only a matter of time before this happened.  If he doesn't keep acting like a tool during his stint in Japan, some team will think about bringing him in next year. But unknown if he is even capable of doing that.

[strumdatjag]

Trevor Bauer is being paid multi-millions by two organizations (one in dollars and one in yen).  
Back in the 70s, due to bad behavior, the Sex Pistols (rock band) were signed and then fired from multiple record labels.  Each time, they pocketed the bonus they had received.  It was immortalized in their songs EMI and The Great Rock and Roll Swindle.  Their record was ultimately released on Virgin Records, was a big hit and viewed as one of the great all-time rock records. 
I predict Trevor Bauer will be well behaved in Japan, pitch at an high level and will work his way back to a big MLB contract next year.  As a take on the Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bullocks, let’s call it: The Great Baseball Swindle!!  

[Squirrel]

9 minutes ago, strumdatjag said:

Trevor Bauer is being paid multi-millions by two organizations (one in dollars and one in yen).  
Back in the 70s, due to bad behavior, the Sex Pistols (rock band) were signed and then fired from multiple record labels.  Each time, they pocketed the bonus they had received.  It was immortalized in their songs EMI and The Great Rock and Roll Swindle.  Their record was ultimately released on Virgin Records, was a big hit and viewed as one of the great all-time rock records. 
I predict Trevor Bauer will be well behaved in Japan, pitch at an high level and will work his way back to a big MLB contract next year.  As a take on the Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bullocks, let’s call it: The Great Baseball Swindle!!  

I don’t recall the Sex Pistols being accused of sexual assault, abuse and misconduct, but then maybe I missed that. Can’t say that I was that aware of that back then, but certainly, being a punk group, they were on the edge with political and social commentary. Far, far different from assaulting multiple women.

[strumdatjag]

15 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

I don’t recall the Sex Pistols being accused of sexual assault, abuse and misconduct, but then maybe I missed that. Can’t say that I was that aware of that back then, but certainly, being a punk group, they were on the edge with political and social commentary. Far, far different from assaulting multiple women.

Wow - you seem to have forgotten much about the Sex Pistols.   Go watch the movie “Sid and Nancy”.  Their bass player, Sid Vicious, certainly abused his girlfriends, and ultimately killed Nancy.   He also tortured and killed animals.   The other members were also poorly behaved but to a lesser extent.  Their lyrics could be seen as racist (listen to “Bodies”) and homophobic (“Pills”).   
Trevor Bauer is a minor leaguer of bad behavior compared to The Sex Pistols. Remember my prediction:  He will be well behaved in Japan.  

[Doctor Gast]

Bauer had a lot of enemies, he was a weird duck and had a chip on his shoulder. His enemies were Manfred, pitchers that were using and those who were doing something wrong and were afraid that he might expose them. They did everything they could to smear him & keep him out of the MLB. Teams didn't sign him because they were afraid of blow back from Manfred.

[Squirrel]

25 minutes ago, strumdatjag said:

Wow - you seem to have forgotten much about the Sex Pistols.   Go watch the movie “Sid and Nancy”.  Their bass player, Sid Vicious, certainly abused his girlfriends, and ultimately killed Nancy.   He also tortured and killed animals.   The other members were also poorly behaved but to a lesser extent.  Their lyrics could be seen as racist (listen to “Bodies”) and homophobic (“Pills”).   
Trevor Bauer is a minor leaguer of bad behavior compared to The Sex Pistols. Remember my prediction:  He will be well behaved in Japan.  

Yikes. Okay. I stand corrected. I wasn’t that old back then. As bad as Bauer then

[strumdatjag]

4 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Yikes. Okay. I stand corrected. I wasn’t that old back then. As bad as Bauer then

The Rock and Roll Analogy would be closer to Jackson Browne.  

[Bodie]

On 1/12/2023 at 12:51 PM, tony&rodney said:

No Asian team will consider Bauer. 

Maybe Venezuela , but I cannot think of any other baseball opportunities. Bauer could always officially retire and become a full time blogger/influencer. It might be his preference anyway.

Signed to play  in the Japanese league, so "Asian" it is... (not trying to be that "you're wrong I'm right guy" no matter that is sure Looks like it!)

[chpettit19]

29 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

Bauer had a lot of enemies, he was a weird duck and had a chip on his shoulder. His enemies were Manfred, pitchers that were using and those who were doing something wrong and were afraid that he might expose them. They did everything they could to smear him & keep him out of the MLB. Teams didn't sign him because they were afraid of blow back from Manfred.

That's oversimplifying Bauer's experience as a baseball player over the last decade plus. He's been disliked by many teammates in his own clubhouse going back to his college days. Painting him as some crusader for good who's being oppressed by the powers he's speaking truth to is ignoring a lot. When Terry Francona says you were traded because you were a problem within the clubhouse it says something. That's not even taking into account the way he's behaved on social media in the past. Trevor Bauer smeared himself by being unable to play nice with anyone anywhere.