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Former Cy Young Winner Trevor Bauer Offering To Play In MLB For Free
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- Former Cy Young Winner Trevor Bauer Offering To Play In MLB For Free
Trevor Bauer is so eager to return to the MLB that he doesn't even need to be compensated for his work.
Bauer, 35, hasn't pitched in the MLB since the 2021 season. The 2020 NL Cy Young winner has suited up for the Arizona Diamondbacks , Cleveland Guardians , Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers , owning a career 83-69 record with a 3.79 ERA and 1,416 strikeouts.
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The league placed Bauer on administrative leave during the 2021 MLB season due to sexual assault allegations. He was then suspended 194 games for violating the MLB's domestic violence policy.
Even though Bauer hasn't been criminally charged, MLB teams have steered clear of him over the past four years. That being said, he's wondering if any general manager would take a chance on him for the low price of $0.
"Hypothetical: You're the owner of an MLB team. I offer to take $0 salary and sign a minor league contract and go to Low A. If the 'he sucks now' crowd is right and I get lit up, you cut me, lose $0 and there's no risk to the big league club. If the 'clubhouse cancer' crowd is right, you see it immediately at Low A and cut me. You lose $0 and there's no risk to the big league club. If there's massive negative PR, which we already know there won't be, you just cut me and move on. The story is dead in a couple days, you lose $0, and there's no risk to the big league club," Baer wrote on social media.
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"But, assuming none of those things happen, which they obviously wouldn't, if you like what you see, you can promote me to AA and re evaluate me there. Then AAA. Then the big leagues. If I earn it, which you'd be 100% in control of deciding. If you don't think I'm good enough, you lose $0 and there's no risk to the big league club. ... What logical reason is there to not do this? At worst, you cut me and there's no risk to the big league club. At best, you get a Cy Young winner for $0 who you know can still pitch and could help the big league team if and when you see fit."
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 28: Los Angeles Dodgers Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) stands behind a pitcher's mound during the MLB game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 28, 2021, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Kiyoshi Mio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
What is Trevor Bauer currently up to?
Baer is currently trying to revive his career on the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League.
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Roughly two weeks ago, Bauer went seven innings against the Lancaster Stormers without giving up a single hit. The former All-Star retired the first 15 batters he faced. He then followed up that performance with 10 strikeouts against the Lexington Legends.
Has Bauer shown enough to earn an MLB contract? Only time will tell.
This story was originally published by The Spun on May 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
