Cincinnati Reds are officially bailing on Trevor Bauer

It was always looking that way, but the Cincinnati Reds have bailed on the idea Trevor Bauer will be back.

The Cincinnati Reds seem inclined to serve two masters this offseason, cut payroll (trade Sonny Gray?) while trying to remain a contender in the NL Central. Bringing Trevor Bauer back in free agency was possible, as he has been seemed open to anything, but it was always unlikely unless the best free agent pitcher available found a cold market.

On Friday, the Reds waived the white flag on Bauer. His rejection of their qualifying offer will net them a draft pick.

After acquiring him from the Cleveland Indians at the 2019 trade deadline, the Reds got a 6.39 ERA out of Bauer in 10 starts over the rest of that season. But there were signs of better things to come (3.38 ERA, 25 strikeouts and four walks over this final three starts-21.1 innings), and he followed with an excellent 2020 campaign.

Acquiring Trevor Bauer paid off for the Reds

Bauer led the National League with a 1.73 ERA last season, with two shutouts in 11 starts (73 innings). His peripherals (12.3 K/9, 2.1 BB/9, 0.795 WHIP, 5.1 H/9, 276 ERA+, 2.88 FIP) were top-notch too.

The Reds also made the playoffs for the first time since 2013. They bowed out in a quick two games to the Atlanta Braves in a Wild Card Series, as the offense continued to struggle. But Bauer pitched very well in Game 1 (12 strikeouts and two hits allowed over 7.2 innings), effectively showcasing himself for teams with World Series aspirations as he headed toward free agency.

With the Reds bowing out, the list of possible Bauer suitors remains formidable (though not necessarily long). The New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres and the Toronto Blue Jays could notably be thinking about making an offer. Trying to predict what Bauer will do is a fruitless exercise that he seems to enjoy fueling and trolling, so speculation about where he’ll land may have to linger a bit longer.