Due to accusations of sexual assault, Bauer is presently serving an extraordinary 194-game suspension for breaking MLB’s domestic violence policy. Since the 2021 season, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has not pitched in the major leagues.

Bauer is still a very good player even after his suspension. He was an All-Star caliber starter for several years and was the 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner. Teams, however, have shied away from him because of the publicity surrounding his legal predicament.

The Contract That Broke the Ice

Bauer signed a contract with the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League that will allow him to pitch in five games. This serves as a showcase for MLB teams to assess whether to offer him a contract.

Crucially, the deal includes an out clause that permits Bauer to exit his Mexican commitment early if signed by an MLB club.

“There is no doubt he remains one of the best starting pitchers in baseball, and with our contract parameters he is both available and affordable to any MLB that wants to upgrade their starting pitching,” said Bauer’s agent, Jon Fetterolf.

The willingness of the Diablos Rojos to structure a special contract for Bauer suggests that MLB teams played a role behind the scenes. It provides Bauer a platform to display his current abilities following his lengthy suspension.

Why This Matters for MLB Teams

No MLB team offered Bauer a contract during his suspension as he remained toxic from a public relations perspective. However, this Mexican League contract changes the landscape.

It empowers an MLB club to swoop in and sign Bauer if he shows promising form during his short stint in Mexico. The team could argue they are giving Bauer a second chance strictly based on his pitching talent.

The contract also mitigates the financial risk of signing Bauer. He would only receive a prorated portion of a minimum MLB salary. But if he rediscovers his Cy Young form, he could greatly improve a team’s starting rotation down the stretch.

Of course, any MLB team signing Bauer would still receive sharp criticism from fans and the media. But the Mexican League contract gives teams an opening to take a chance on Bauer’s still-elite talent.

How This Could Play Out

If Bauer does really well in his Mexican League starts, a team fighting for a playoff spot might take a chance on him. But don’t expect struggling teams like the Pirates or Royals to do it—they probably won’t want to deal with the potential backlash.

But the Boston Red Sox, fresh off losing Xander Bogaerts, could use pitching reinforcements. Other teams like the Minnesota Twins or San Francisco Giants could roll the dice on Bauer fueling a playoff push.

One sleeper team is the Houston Astros, who famously don’t care about negative PR associated with players. With Justin Verlander departing, the Astros have a strong incentive to explore Bauer as a rotation boost.

Of course, Bauer could also falter in Mexico, silencing any MLB interest. But assuming he pitches reasonably well, his Mexican League showcase could entice a team to make a splash.

The Bottom Line

In the end, Trevor Bauer remains in MLB purgatory despite his high-end talent. Off-field issues have teams wary of touching a player with his baggage.

But his calculated Mexican League contract provides a pathway back to the majors on a low-risk trial basis. If Bauer shows flashes of his All-Star past, an MLB team could soon come calling with a major league offer.

So while Bauer’s future remains murky, his latest contract gambit makes an MLB return more realistic. And that is sending ripples of excitement and controversy through baseball. I sincerely hope you enjoyed this “Trevor Bauer’s Mega Contract That’s Shaking Up the MLB” article.

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