Trevor Bauer situation affected Dodgers' free-agency approach

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Bauer situation reportedly affected Dodgers' approach to free agency

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 12/17/22

The Los Angeles Dodgers have surprisingly been fairly quiet in MLB free agency over the last month-and-a-half, and it seems there is a specific and expensive reason why.

A new report reveals that the ongoing situation with suspended starting pitcher Trevor Bauer has had a major effect on the team’s offseason decision-making.

Many of the big and mid-market teams around the league got in the spending mix to upgrade their rosters over the last few weeks, yet the Dodgers haven’t made much noise beyond random speculation. The organization is one of the biggest spenders on payroll each year, yet the Dodgers' most notable moves in the offseason were releasing former National League MVP Cody Bellinger and re-signing Clayton Kershaw at a discounted rate.

While the Dodgers had one of the highest payrolls in the league last year, the organization actually saved money regarding Bauer. The pitcher is serving a two-year suspension after facing allegations of sexual assault last year. However, the arbitration process on his ongoing ban could be coming to an end soon.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that with Bauer expected to get a positive ruling in arbitration soon, the fact that his sizable contract will be added back to the Dodgers' payroll has been a major reason for the team’s careful approach to the MLB free-agent market this winter.

“The Dodgers, fearing they might owe tens of millions in salary and luxury-tax penalties if an arbitrator reduces or overturns Trevor Bauer’s two-year suspension, are proceeding with caution this offseason. They are not unwilling to spend amid the Bauer uncertainty, as evidenced by their addition of Freddie Freeman last March and recent bid for Justin Verlander. But club officials view the roster as deep enough for them to pursue free agents in their usual manner — at their price.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to cut Bauer once he is allowed back into the league. He has one year and $32 million left on the three-year, $102 million deal he signed with the organization before the 2021 season.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: