All The Details Of Dodgers Releasing Trevor Bauer

What has largely been expected has happened. Ahead of a 6pm deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers have released former NL Cy Young winner, Trevor Bauer.

Bauer, who was never charged but accused of sexual assault incidents involving more than one woman in multiple states served the longest domestic violence suspension in the history of professional sports.

The move by the Dodgers sets off a series of possible actions. Here are the details.

Bauer Is Designated For Assignment (DFA) By The Dodgers

The Dodgers released Bauer through a process called designated for assignment. At 7:15pm ET, they released the following statement on the decision:

“The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused. From the beginning, we have fully cooperated with Major League Baseball’s investigation and strictly followed the process stipulated under MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy,” the statement read. “Two extensive reviews of all the available evidence in this case – one by Commissioner Manfred and another by a neutral arbitrator – concluded that Mr. Bauer’s actions warranted the longest-ever active player suspension in our sport for violations of this policy. Now that this process has been completed, and after careful consideration, we have decided that he will no longer be part of our organization.”

How Does This Affect Bauer’s Salary?

The Dodgers would be responsible for $22.5 million of the $32 million remaining in his Dodger’s contract for 2023. The reason for not covering all of it is due to the neutral arbitrator ruling that Bauer serve a 50-game unpaid suspension as part of the upcoming season.

DFA Can Mean A Trade For Bauer

While the Dodgers have decided he will no longer be a part of the organization, it does not mean that he’s automatically a free agent. The Dodgers have until Thursday, Jan 12 at 2pm ET in which to engage in trades.

If The Dodgers Don’t Trade Him, What Happens?

Should the Dodgers not make a trade by the Thursday deadline, he would become a free agent through the unconditional release waivers system. All 29 other clubs in MLB will have the opportunity to claim the Bauer and add him to their 40-man rosters. Should he be claimed on release waivers he has the option of rejecting that claim and instead exploring the free-agent market.

What Would Be The Salary That Bauer Would Receive In Free Agency?

Should any club take Bauer on, his prior salary becomes moot. While he can decline, clubs are only required to offer the league minimum to Bauer for the upcoming season. For 2023, the MLB minimum salary is $720,000.

What Has Bauer Said About The Matter?

Bauer released a statement through his representatives following the Dodger’s announcement in which he said he met with members of the organization on Thursday. He said that while he and his representatives were unable to communicate throughout the administrative leave and arbitration process, his representatives spoke to Dodgers leadership immediately following the arbitration decision.

“Following two weeks of conversations around my return to the organization, I sat down with Dodgers leadership in Arizona yesterday who told me that they wanted me to return and pitch for the team this year,” he said. “While I am disappointed by the organization’s decision today, I appreciate the wealth of support l’ve received from the Dodgers clubhouse. I wish the players all the best and look forward to competing elsewhere.”

Background

Bauer was accused of assault with a sexual partner from San Diego over two episodes that shook the sports world due to its graphic nature. As part of a five-month investigation by the Pasadena Police, criminal charges were not filed against Bauer in February. On top of the case in Pasadena, a woman in Cleveland sought the temporary order due to repeated threats from Bauer after he allegedly assaulted her dating back to 2017.

Bauer was suspended for two full seasons (324 games) by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in April of 2022. Bauer’s case went to arbitration where the case was heard by Martin F. Scheinman, the arbitrator selected by MLB and the MLBPA, saying, he had violated Major League Baseball’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. Scheinman reduced the suspension to 194 games.

Based on the jointly agreed upon domestic violence policy between the league and union for the players, the league and MLBPA have had no further comment citing the confidentiality agreement.