Dodgers Rumors: Trevor Bauer is Reportedly Signing With LA
Trevor Bauer’s long and arduous free agency appears to have finally reached its end. After months of wondering where the reigning NL Cy Young winner would end up, we now know that the starter will be joining the Dodgers.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman was among reporters to break the news.
Bauer to Dodgers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 5, 2021
Bauer is heading home to Los Angeles, which comes as a surprise after rumors on Thursday linked the pitcher to the New York Mets. That report was shot down saying that the Dodgers were still very much in the conversation, which now is confirmed.
Bauer joins Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, and David Price in a loaded LA rotation that also features quality young depth pieces in Julio Urias, Dustin May and more.
Related: Dodgers Sign Mookie Betts’ Cousin to Deal
Trevor Bauer announced the news on his YouTube channel.
No details on his contract are available yet, but rumors had LA offering Bauer a shorter-term deal with a higher average annual value.
UPDATE
Jeff Passan reported that the deal with the Dodgers is a 3-year, $102 million deal with opt outs after each year.
Trevor Bauer's three-year deal with the Dodgers is for $102 million guaranteed — and for $40 million in 2021 and $45 million in 2022. He can opt out after each year, meaning he'll make $40M if he opts out this year, $85M if he does so after 2022 and $102M if he stays all three.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 5, 2021
More.
Despite getting $40 million in 2021 and $45 million in 2022, Bauer's CBT figure for the Dodgers will be $34 million per year, which is the AAV for the three-year contract.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) February 5, 2021
Notably, the Dodgers have not confirmed this deal yet.
The LA 40-man roster is full, so expect a trade or two in the coming days before the deal is officially announced.
More to come on this breaking storyline.
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Awesome! Bauer with Betts- wow. Now just sign JT.
Didn’t expect this. I figure the next move will be unloading David Price and some pocket money for some lower level non-prospects.
YUP.
Well, I was totally wrong on that one!
The Dodgers just made the Padres moot.
We have the best rotation in baseball. By far. Bye bye Padres.
I am a happy camper!!!!
I predict a team ERA under 3.00. Maybe we’ll under 3.00.
This is clearly a 1 or 2-year deal. The 3rd year only pays $17 million–a lot, but not much for an ace. If he busts, LA would be responsible for paying him. After 1 or 2 years, they can watch him walk and still be in excellent shape. Price’s contract will be off the books and they still have Urias, May, and Gonsolin. Essentially, this is only to get them through 2021. After that, LA will need to come up with a lot of money to pay Bellinger, Seager, and Kershaw. I should also note that LA could trade Price to the Mets, who can now afford his contract. I am unhappy about signing Bauer. He has shown streaks of excellence, but he may turn into a pitching equivalent to Yasiel Puig.
It’s all good but what happens now with JT or another RHB? Time now to focus on position player needs. Bauer costs $$ but not top prospects.
I agree. But at this point, I think all we need is to resign JT as a big returning RHB. Gonsolin will probably go to the bullpen, which kind of solves our exposure there. The closer spot will probably be by committee, but could narrow to a resolution by the postseasons. If we just sign JT, I’ll be happy.
Okay, sign Turner next. Then shed as much salary as possible: Price, Pollock, Kelley, even Jansen.
Agree with trading any or all of Price, Kelley, Jansen. But not Pollack. Pollack had a great comeback year last year. I think he led the team in home runs. He fizzled a little at the end. But his RHB is valuable. Contracts for the other guys are tapping out anyway. None of them are reliable contributors, and could be traded for prospects. Jansen’s $20 this year would free up money to re-sign JT and more.