Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer took to Twitter Monday to rail against banning the shift and troll on the Houston Astros.
It’s believed one of the new rules being implemented in a new collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball owners and players union will be to ban the shift. While hitters can find the shift frustrating, pitchers and a team’s defense love the strategic aspect of the shift.
Trevor Bauer hopped on Twitter to voice his displeasure at the prospects of banning the shift and more.
If we’re banning the shift let’s just ban breaking balls and all off speed pitches too while we’re at it.
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 7, 2022
With a hefty amount of sarcasm, Bauer began making other suggestions on what new rules the MLB can change.
Walks are now banned too. After ball 4, the pitcher must throw a fastball down the middle until the hitter puts a ball in play. Homers not allowed after ball 4.
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 7, 2022
Strikeouts no longer count. Any time a hitter strikes out the defense must remove 4 fielders and the hitter is allowed to throw the ball from the plate into play and start running.
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 7, 2022
Then Bauer suggested a rule that may help him finally get Fernando Tatis, Jr., out.
Also, we’re adopting slow pitch softball rules. If you hit a homer it’s an out. Now I can finally get @tatis_jr out.
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 7, 2022
Couldn’t agree more. @tatis_jr gets it. I get him, I celebrate. He gets me, he celebrates. We both go viral. It’s talked about all over sports media the next day. You know who really wins? The fans and the sport. https://t.co/A5OeSBFy23
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 7, 2022
Bauer had fun with fans responding with more rule change ideas.
It’s about time! https://t.co/RxWOziWubE
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 7, 2022
Love it! Implement it immediately https://t.co/RXLVvARhca
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 7, 2022
https://twitter.com/BauerOutage/status/1500683549380280322?s=20&t=6OQDMMtwAvsZKArW0zEDUQ
And then Bauer took a dig at the Houston Astros.
We will call it the Astro rule https://t.co/v0cqJcy69A
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) March 7, 2022
Trevor Bauer hates idea of MLB shift ban
Bauer had good fun with fans while stirring the drama of ongoing negotiations between the owners and players union. Once that new agreement is reached, things will certainly get more interesting. Especially for Bauer.
He has been on paid administrative leave from the Dodgers since July 2, 2021, after allegations of sexual assault involving a San Diego woman came to light. While no criminal charges were filed by prosecutors against Bauer due to insufficient evidence, MLB is still investigating the matter that involved him hitting and choking the woman during two sexual encounters at his home. MLB could suspend Bauer over the matter. The league’s investigation into Bauer has stalled due to the lockout between the owners and players association.
Fansided’s Cody Williams wrote more on Bauer’s future with the Dodgers here.
With Bauer’s future with the Dodgers and the league in flux, hopefully, he is doing all he can to be prepared for whatever is next for him. Be it with the Dodgers or elsewhere.