Everything to know about Trevor Bauer’s MLB suspension reduction

On Thursday night, Major League Baseball announced that an independent arbitrator had reduced Trevor Bauer’s 324-game suspension to 194 games. Bauer is immediately eligible to return to baseball after the arbitrator applies credit for the time he was on the restricted list in late 2021. But what went into the decision? What about Bauer’s future in MLB? We analyze the biggest issues surrounding a pitcher’s return potential.

Why was Bauer suspended last year?

Bauer was suspended for sexual misconduct, and the league has not fully released the results of the nine-month investigation. We found a San Diego woman accusing him of taking too much rough sex in April 2021 and her May, demanding a temporary restraining order later that summer, leading to a long-term ban by MLB. I know it caused an investigation. We also know that two of her other women from Ohio made similar allegations in an interview with Her Washington Post. Due to confidentiality provisions in the Domestic Violence Policy, it has not been made public whether there are other alleged victims or other women the league has spoken to.

Bauer vehemently denies any wrongdoing, arguing that sexual activity is consensual. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office declined to indict him in February, but in August 2015 he was sued by MLB Commissioner Rob Mann under a domestic violence policy jointly agreed by MLB and the unions. Fred has the authority to punish players for “just cause”. He does not have to meet the standard of guilt beyond a reasonable suspicion required by law enforcement. For that reason, MLB felt that Bauer deserved a much longer suspension than any player it had ever experienced for domestic violence violations. Did.

Who made the decision to reduce the suspension?

A man named Martin Scheinman serving as an independent arbitrator held by both MLB and the MLB Players Association. Scheinman has chaired his three-person committee (consisting of MLB representatives and his MLBPA representatives) who will review MLB’s findings and speak to witnesses for seven months. served for a short period of time. Most of the interviews were conducted via video conference. No details were given, but at least two accusers from MLB headquarters have testified and more than 20 witnesses have been called, according to a Washington Post article published Thursday. It added that the process largely revolved around the three women whose allegations went public. said the muscle.

What did he decide to do?

The arbitrator reduced Bauer’s suspension by 130 games, but determined that Bauer deserved the longest suspension ever under the Domestic Violence Policy (the previous maximum was 162 games). Bauer said in 2022 he will be suspended for 144 games, and in 2023 he will have 50 games remaining. However, some compromises were made. Scheinman basically gave Bauer partial credit for the second half of the 2021 season. Accusations Public — On Paid Leave. Bauer will go unpaid in his first 50 games of the 2023 season, but will be back soon.

What does this mean for Bauer’s future in MLB?

That compromise qualifies Bauer to pitch on opening day. As of now, he’s keeping his Los Angeles deal with the Dodgers as the final season of his three-year, $102 million contract signed ahead of his 2021 season. Whether or not the Dodgers make Bauer a roster next year, they will owe him about $22.5 million of his original $32 million salary.

Bauer made his final appearance in a major league game on June 28, 2021. In his first 17-game start with the Dodgers, he recorded his 2.59 ERA, and in 107⅔ innings he struck out 137. In his 2020 season, which was cut short by COVID-19, Bauer won the National League Cy Young Award. He continues to train at facilities in the Phoenix area and regularly posts videos of his pitching.

What does this mean for the Dodgers?

The first question for the Dodgers is simple. Will they take Bauer back or release him? Many players in the Dodgers clubhouse have privately argued over what the team will do… cut ties regardless of the outcome of his appeal. . The Dodgers have until Jan. 6 to decide whether to add Bauer to the roster or cut him.

As for the impact on Bauer’s salary, the arbitrator’s decision eased some of the pressure on the Dodgers’ competitive balance tax. Now, according to Baseball Prospectus, his estimated CBT salary for the 2023 season in Los Angeles is $199 million. Bauer’s one-his-season salary was supposed to equal his $34 million (annual average of his contract) added to his CBT number with the Dodgers. But by docking Bauer with a 50-game reward, the arbitrator reduced the Dodgers’ luxury tax burden by nearly $9.5 million, according to one source. That would put him below the $233 million threshold that Bauer’s full salary exceeded.

If the Dodgers exceed the threshold for three consecutive seasons, the base tax rate of $233 million to $253 million will be taxed at 50%. From $253 million to $273 million he will be fined 62%. From $273 million to $293 million he’s at 95%, above $293 million he’s at 110%, but it’s very unlikely the Dodgers will be near the cap. , may fall below the minimum value.