The Dodgers have finally announced what they plan to do about Trevor Bauer.
According to an official statement from the Dodgers, they have decided to part ways with Bauer and designate him for assignment.
“The Dodgers organization believes that allegations of sexual assault or domestic violence should be thoroughly investigated, with due process given to the accused,” the statement reads. “From the beginning, we have fully cooperated with Major League Baseball’s investigation and strictly followed the process stipulated under MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse policy. Two extensive reviews of all the available evidence in this case – one by Commissioner Manfred and another by a neutral arbitrator – concluded that Mr. Bauer’s actions warranted the longest ever active player suspension in our sport for violations of this policy. Now that this process has been completed, and after careful consideration, we have decided that he will no longer be part of our organization.”
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 7, 2023
Shortly after the news was made, it was reported that no other teams showed interest in Bauer.
No team expressed interest in trading for Bauer before the Dodgers officially cut ties with him. https://t.co/TA3d1ffU5F
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 7, 2023
Trevor Bauer post-assault allegation decision has been announced by Dodgers
In June 2021 news broke that Bauer was under investigation for an alleged assault that took place in May. The woman accused him of physically and sexually assaulting her on two separate occasions. Bauer alleged that the interactions with the woman were consensual.
He was placed on administrative leave in July and the leave was extended for the remainder of the season while the MLB and the police finished their investigation. In February 2022 the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to press charges against Bauer. In return, he filed defamation suits against the woman and several media outlets.
While the MLB was investigating, two more women were discovered. One by The Washington Post who uncovered a 2020 incident and another who came forward on her own.
On Dec. 22 an independent arbitrator reinstated Bauer and the Dodgers were given 14 days to decide if they would add him to their 40-man roster.
He is owed $22.5 million in 2023 and a team could pick him up for just $720,000.
On Friday, Bauer filed another lawsuit against his accuser citing that her lawsuit “was not filed .. in good faith with reasonable cause.”
Trevor Bauer, whom the Dodgers must reinstate or release today, just filed court papers claiming the suit a San Diego woman accusing him of sexual battery "was not filed .. in good faith with reasonable cause." (1/2)
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) January 6, 2023