Trevor Bauer has been on quite a roller coaster ride over the past three years.
He won the Cy Young Award in 2020 and signed a $102 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers before next season.
He was then faced with graphic sexual assault allegations. The woman said Pitcher knocked her unconscious during a sexual encounter without her consent.
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Los Angeles Dodgers player Trevor Bauer reacts after striking out during the game against the Padres on June 23, 2021 in San Diego. (Sean M. Huffey/Getty Images)
Bauer has faced other allegations, but has cleared his name on nearly all of them. However, he was still suspended for 324 games for violating MLB's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy.
His suspension was reduced to 194 (representing the time he missed on administrative leave in 2021 and the entire 2022 season), but he was still released by the Dodgers before the start of the 2023 season. As a result, he played professionally in Japan last year.
Bauer's legal issues are now largely resolved and he is ready to return to Major League Baseball. He has not pitched in the majors since June 28, 2021.
Bauer told a Fox News Digital roundtable that he didn't do anything “criminal,” but after the allegations, he had to look in the mirror and work on himself.
And that's something he says all 30 MLB teams should consider and consider in their conversations with the 32-year-old during free agency.
“Anybody who's willing to sit down and listen to me, I want to play the second half of my career better than the first half,” Bauer told FOX News Digital. “I want to be an example that you can make mistakes, realize it, adjust and be better in the future. That's what we humans have to do and what we should always do. I think.”
“So, yeah, anybody who's going to listen. I want to make things right and I want to make things better. Whether it's an MLB team, whether it's members of the media, any member of the MLB Whoever it is. I've had a lot of time to reflect on the last two.” A year and a half. There are so many things I want to do better, and so many broken and damaged relationships I want to mend. ”
Trevor Bauer of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on April 24, 2021. (Harry Howe/Getty Images)
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One of Bauer's former teammates recently spoke out in support of the pitcher. Mookie Betts called Bauer a “great guy” and said his experience with him was “a far cry from anyone else's experience.”
Bauer called Betts' comments “a breath of fresh air.”
“Obviously it's a tough situation for players and coaches to speak publicly, and I understand that. So I'm very grateful that he said that. ” Bauer said.
However, the pitcher said that in his private life, he has received similar feedback from many others.
“You can read my text and pull out countless examples of that,” Bauer said. “It’s great to see some of the personal support shown publicly.”
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer and right fielder Mookie Betts speak during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on June 28, 2021. (Sei Mio/Icon Sportswire, Getty Images)
He was recently named an All-Star in Japan, posted a 2.76 ERA at the professional level, and was elite in the majors right up until his suspension.
He started a total of 28 games in the coronavirus-shortened 2020 and shortened 2021 seasons, posting an ERA of just 2.24, striking out 11.8 batters per nine innings, and posting a WHIP of 0.92. .
That's why Bauer expects to play in the majors this year.
“I think I'm one of the best pitchers in the world,” Bauer said. “I went to Japan last year and had a really good year, breaking my personal best velocity record. My average velocity was the second highest of my career, and my peak velocity was the highest ever.” [I] Developed a new pitch. I think I'm one of the best pitchers in the world. Talent-wise, I think I deserve to play in the MLB. Of course there are external circumstances, so hopefully I'll get a second chance, but I definitely expect him to play.”
Trevor Bauer said he plans to play in the majors this year. (Sheeron W. Henderson/Getty Images/File)
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“I have a lot to lead the team on and off the field,” he added. “I am very passionate about helping the players around me, but more than that, I want to have a positive impact on the community, the team, the organization and the players. I will continue to perform. I'll go.''
“But I want to have a positive impact in the clubhouse. I want to have a positive impact in the community, and I intend to do that. I'm committed to playing better in the second half of my career than I was in the first half.” He helped grow the game both from a skill standpoint, an on-field technical standpoint, and a fan engagement standpoint. I have a lot to offer. The second half of my career is going to be better than my career. First of all, I'm just looking for that opportunity. ”
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