Why did Trevor Bauer sign in Japan? Just look at the contract

Trevor Bauer has reportedly signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

Per Trevor Bauer’s agent, Rachel Luba, the former Cy Young winner is fulfilling a lifelong dream by pitching in Japan.

“We’ve been waiting for quite some time to finally share this… Can’t wait to see you back on the mound @BauerOutage & can’t wait for you to finally get the chance to be the 1st player ever to win a Cy Young & Sawamura like you’ve always dreamed!” Luba wrote on social media.

Perhaps the more important information is lost in the contract details. The BayStars will only pay Bauer $4 million, but because Bauer is pitching in Japan, the Los Angeles Dodgers are still on the hook for $22 million this coming season.

Why did Trevor Bauer sign in Japan?

Trevor Bauer signed in Japan to fulfill a lifelong dream, so he says. He also likely wouldn’t have received much of an opportunity here in the states, especially with MLB.

Bauer was on leave for more than 190 games after he violated the league’s domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

An ESPN report detailed the allegations against Bauer:

"“A then-27-year-old San Diego woman filed a request for a domestic violence restraining order in which she alleged that Bauer assaulted her over the course of two sexual encounters at his home in Pasadena, California, in April and May, prompting a prolonged MLB investigation that left Bauer on administrative leave for the remainder of that season.”"

The most important detail of Bauer’s contract was revealed by Luba, and it’s fairly refreshing they’re being so up front about it. Bauer can go pitch in Japan for a year and still make the money back that the Dodgers owe him.

After that, he’s on his own. And his MLB future is uncertain at best.