Los Angeles Dodgers cut ties with embattled pitcher Trevor Bauer

[Diamond_Dog]

The Los Angeles Dodgers officially cut ties Friday with starting pitcher Trevor Bauer, the embattled former Cy Young Award winner who was handed an unprecedented suspension following allegations of sexual assault.

Bauer was designated for assignment, which means the Dodgers have until 2 p.m. ET on Thursday to find a trade partner. If they can't, Bauer will be placed on unconditional release waivers. If he clears those, he'll be officially released and become a free agent the following day, which is considered the likely scenario.

The Dodgers' decision came two weeks after an independent arbitrator trimmed Bauer's suspension from 324 games to 194, reinstating him immediately but docking his pay for the remaining 50 games to begin the 2023 season. The ruling triggered a 14-day window for the Dodgers to decide whether to add him to their 40-man roster.

They stretched their decision right up until Friday's deadline, ultimately choosing a route that had been widely expected throughout the industry for the last several months.

"The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused," the team said in a statement Friday. "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.

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."

Bauer says he was told by Dodgers leadership on Thursday that they "wanted me to return and pitch for the team this year."

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https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35393987/los-angeles-dodgers-dfa-embattled-pitcher-trevor-bauer

[GP6971]

1. Good.

Wonder where he'll wind up.

[Auggie]

2. I'll surmise he gets a deal from a contender sometime during the season ...

provided there aren't any further allegations.

[Brother Buzz]

3. With a heavily discounted contract

The Dodgers are still on the hook to pay Bauer $22.5 million for 2023

[Auggie]

4. Yes

I’m thinking Mets

[Brother Buzz]

5. No trade offers. The pariah is now a free agent that can be had for a mere $720,000

After this story first broke last Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers have now made it official. Trevor Bauer will no longer be a Dodger after his release from the team went through today. The former Red passed through waivers unclaimed and is now a free agent with the ability to return for the 2023 season.

This move was expected after an independent arbitrator reduced Bauer’s suspension and made him available to play this season. Los Angeles did try to find a trade partner, but even though Bauer has proven to be one of the better-starting pitchers in baseball, his baggage made a deal unlikely.

Any team that signs him will only be on the hook for $720,000 while the Dodgers pay the bulk of his contract, $22.5 million.