*Photo from Bloomberg*
Here comes a somewhat surprising overseas deal. Former Los Angeles Dodgers RHP Trevor Bauer has agreed to a one year contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of the Japanese Central League, according to an announcement on Monday by the team.
Bauer last took the mound in the majors in June of 2021, when a woman accused Bauer of sexual assault. For the rest of that season, he was placed on administrative leave by MLB and was eventually suspended for 324 games. Over the offseason, an arbitrator reduced the suspension to 194 games and immediately reinstated Bauer, who the Dodgers released shortly following the decision.
In a video posted by the BayStars, Bauer said that "I can't tell you how excited I am to be playing for the BayStars this year. Playing in the NPB has always been a dream of mine, and I can't think of a better organization to do it with."
Bauer can earn up to $3 million based off performance with the BayStars, with more than $1 million available in marketing bonuses. He will still be paid the entirety of his salary with the Dodgers, who are responsible for $22.5 million remaining on his contract.
Over his major league career, Bauer has played for 4 different teams in 10 seasons, debuting in Arizona. Bauer has a 3.79 ERA, 3.87 FIP, and 1.24 WHIP, tossing 1,297 2/3 innings over 212 starts and 10 relief appearances. In the postseason, Bauer has a 2.94 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 11 appearances totaling 33 2/3 innings.
There were multiple NPB teams interested in signing Bauer for the 2023 season. He joins former All Star closer Roberto Osuna in Japan, who pitched for the Chiba Lotte Marines last season and will again in 2023. Osuna was suspended 75 games under the league's domestic violence policy previously.
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