Trevor Bauer's MLB career ended in the 2023 season in the aftermath of his suspension and release from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner has signed a one-year contract with the Yokohama DeNa BayStars of the Japan Baseball Organization (NPB) in Japan. That came about two years after signing a $102 million contract with the Dodgers.
Bauer was suspended for 324 games on suspicion of sexual abuse. It was ultimately reduced to 194 games to reflect the time he did not take on vacation in 2021 and the games he was suspended for in 2022.
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Yokohama DeNA BayStars pitcher Trevor Bauer pitches against the Hiroshima Carp during a baseball game in Yokohama, near Tokyo, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (via Kyodo News AP)
Once his suspension was lifted, the Dodgers decided to part ways with him and he became a free agent. However, he did not sign with an MLB team and moved across the Pacific Ocean.
For many MLB players, the National Baseball is a place where players have hopes of getting their careers back on track, but those hopes often fizzle out in the end.
But for Bauer, it may have revitalized his career.
“I went to Japan last year and broke some personal best velocity records, so I had a really good year,” Bauer recently told FOX News Digital. “My average speed was the second highest of my career and my peak speed was the highest ever.”
A fan wearing a shirt emblazoned with baseball player Trevor Bauer's name and jersey number watches him pitch at Yokosuka Baseball Stadium, Japan, Sunday, April 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Stephen Wade)
Trevor Bauer 'more than open' to sign with Mets after 2021 offseason debacle
I'll leave the discussion of Revo to Bauer, who is notorious as one of baseball's “nerds” (he also said he developed a new pitch).
He posted a 2.76 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 9.0 ERA.
But off the field, it was a breath of fresh air for Bauer, long a villain in the United States but admired in Japan.
“My experience in Japan was amazing…” Bauer said.
“The fans were amazing… every game there was like a European soccer match. Bands in the stands, chants, drums, crazy energy, the stadium was packed to capacity. Personally, I think the fans were the best in the city. Just walking around was incredible. “I can't even count the number of pictures and autographs I signed. People were so excited to see me. It was awesome. I couldn't believe how much the experience was I can talk forever about how great it was.”
Bauer now wants to return to the major leagues and hopes he can do so after his success in Japan.
Trevor Bauer (left) listens to questions from reporters after a warm-up game in Hiratsuka, southwest Tokyo, on Saturday, April 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Stephen Wade)
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“I think I'm one of the best pitchers in the world. I think I'm qualified to play in MLB in terms of talent,” he said. “Obviously there are external circumstances so hopefully I get a second chance, but I definitely expect to play.”
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