David Wells’ latest controversial opinion?
Trevor Bauer, who hasn’t pitched in the major leagues for three seasons since being suspended for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy, should be given a second chance.
The former Yankees pitcher slammed “woke culture” and companies like Nike and Bud Light during the team’s Old Timers Day last season, but said he believes Bauer has made amends for his actions.
“I hope so. … I think people are afraid,” Wells said. Fox News Digital Bauer on returning to the MLB. “He was a great pitcher. He should be selected. You look at the guys in the past who screwed up and got in trouble, and they were given a second, third, fourth chance.”
Wells, best known for his four-year stint in the Bronx in the late 1990s and early 2000s, said the pros outweigh the cons for any owner considering signing Bauer.
“Why not give him a chance? If I’m an owner and I see this guy’s ability and he’s not going to get in the way of the team and he’s going to pitch, why not give him a second chance?,” he said. “As long as there’s a solid position, I believe in second chances, and in his case there was a solid position.”
Wells wasn’t the only former All-Star to voice his support for Bauer, as former Dodgers teammate Mookie Betts also praised the NBA player, calling him a “great guy.”
Bauer, 33, has not pitched in the major leagues since June 2021, when he was placed on administrative leave following an allegation of sexual assault by Lindsay Hill.
Several more women have since come forward with accusations against him.
The 2020 Cy Young Award winner ultimately received a 324-game suspension, which was later reduced to 194 games.
Bauer was not criminally charged but said he was “reckless” during the alleged consensual act.
After serving his suspension, Bauer was released in January 2023 by the Dodgers, who he signed a three-year, $102 million contract with before the 2021 season.
Wells, 61, stressed that athletes could be seen as “targets”.
“In sports, you get attacked a lot by bad people,” Wells said, “and you have to hide your actions and try to make the right decisions because we’re targets. Athletes are targets. Male or female, they’re targets. People are going to go out and try to put you down, get a reaction, sue you or do something else.”
Bauer has been trying to reinvent his image in hopes of getting an opportunity to pitch in the majors again.
The former All-Star said he would accept the MLB minimum salary to prove his ability and claimed multiple teams have expressed interest.
Bauer pitched for the Yokohama BayStars in Japan last season, going 10-4 with a 2.76 ERA in 19 starts.
Bauer has had a great season in the Mexican League, compiling an impressive 9-0 record with a 1.51 ERA in 11 starts. A stunning performance with 19 strikeouts In his final start.
However, Bauer’s efforts did not result in a contract, and his appearances during spring training were largely ignored, particularly his start against the Yankees in Mexico.
Meanwhile, Bauer recently threatened to sue if his MLB opportunity doesn’t materialize.
“I don’t want to go down this path, but if I continue to stay away from baseball the way I am now, I may have no other choice,” he said. Post to X“I hope that doesn’t happen and that I can get back to the career that was stolen from me by clearly false allegations that never had any merit in the first place.”
