Trevor Bauer reinstated: What reduction of suspension means for Dodgers pitcher, contract
Warning: The following article contains detailed allegations related to sexual assault.
An independent abitrator on Thursday reduced Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer’s suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy from 324 games — or two full seasons — to 194 games.
The arbitrator, Martin F. Scheinman, said that Bauer is eligible to be reinstated from the restricted list immediately but will still have to forefit his pay for the first 50 games of the 2023 season, as the Los Angeles Times’ Bill Shaikin noted. Bauer forfeited his pay for the final 144 games of the 2022 season under the suspension issued by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
Los Angeles has 14 days to place Bauer back on its 40-man roster or release him.
Why was Trevor Bauer suspended?
According to police records, Bauer is alleged to have sexually assaulted a San Diego woman on April 21, 2021. He is alleged to have performed multiple sexual acts without consent, choking the woman to the point of unconsciousness and punching her in the face and genitals.
MORE: Trevor Bauer sexual assault allegations, explained
Bauer was not arrested and faced no criminal charges. The Los Angeles County district attorney said in a statement it was “unable to prove the relevant charges beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Bauer has vigorously denied wrongdoing ever since the allegations surfaced, claiming the sex was consensual. He also denies allegations of sexual assault that were brought forth by two other women after the initial claim was made. He sued the San Diego woman; her former attorney; The Athletic, Deadspin and reporters for the respective outlets for defamation. The lawsuit against the attorney was dismissed Nov. 23 but the other five suits remain active, Shaikin reported.
Baseball commissioner Rob Mafred suspended the 2020 National League Cy Young winner for 324 games — the longest punishment in MLB history — on April 29, 2022, for violating the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy, even though Bauer never faced criminal charges. Before being suspended, Bauer had been on paid administrative leave since July 2, 2021.
Bauer appealed Manfred’s ruling; Scheinman’s decision represents the resolution of that appeal. The 194-game ban still represents the longest in league history.
MLB said that it would abide by Scheinman’s ruling even though it disagreed with it.
The full MLB announcement: pic.twitter.com/a2WF6yW2Ps
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) December 23, 2022
The Dodgers, who signed Bauer to a three-year, $102 million contract before the 2021 season, issued a brief statement Thursday evening.
Dodgers’ statement on today’s ruling: “We have just been informed of the arbitrator’s ruling and will comment as soon as practical.”
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 23, 2022
Bauer likewise posted a brief response on Twitter:
The 2023 season Vlog is going to be 🔥🔥! Can’t wait to see y’all out at a stadium soon!
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) December 23, 2022
How much money did Trevor Bauer lose under his suspension?
Bauer will forfeit $37.5 million in all under his 194-game suspension, Shaikin reported. He will be docked $9.5 million from his 2023 salary.
His contract with the Dodgers calls for him to be paid $32 million in 2023. The deal is guaranteed, which means he will make $22.5 million whether the Dodgers keep him or cut him.
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