The Los Angeles Dodgers’ benchmark deal with Trevor Bauer was greeted with clear reservations and, in some cases, contempt by some of the team’s fans – though their concerns are not about the projected performance on the field. Bauer’s boundless social media activity includes cases that have led to allegations of online assault, two of which involved women who were harassed by Bauer’s followers. He made an anti-transgender joke – something he later consciously refused to do – and dismissed sensitivities surrounding the Cleveland Indians logo, prompting questions about his suitability in a liberal market and in a close club-club, which became more and more socially conscious.
Bauer, who signed a three-year, $ 102 million deal with waiver options, said Thursday that he is evolving.
“All the conversations I’ve had with people from all walks of life over the last two years and all the things I’ve learned – I can say I’ve learned from them,” Bauer said after being introduced to the No. 27 T-shirt. during a virtual press conference at Dodger Stadium. “I spent a lot of time talking to other people to try to understand other perspectives and I do my best to be better, as I do in all categories of my life. I don’t think it makes sense to dive into specific issues in this forum, but I am committed to being better on social media, to be better on the field, to be better in the club, to be better in life in general. “
Bauer, the current winner of the Cy Young Award National League, was by far the best free-kick player this off-season. Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers president of baseball operations, showed interest from the start, knowing that Bauer was one of the few pitchers available – and the only one who wouldn’t cost the potential – who could realistically improve a rotation that was already one. one of the best in the league.
After three months of highs and lows, Friedman went to bed the night before Bauer made the decision, believing the Dodgers were no longer working. It was last Thursday, and Bauer had restricted his free agency to his hometown of the Dodgers and the New York Mets, free of charge. Bauer woke up at 6 in the morning still uncertain and spent most of the next five hours on the phone with his agent, his financial advisor and his father debating the merits of both teams. The Dodgers, with the blessing of owner Mark Walter, backed their bid in the final hours, making Bauer the highest paid baseball player of 2021 and 2022.
Six days later, as he approached the verification process, Friedman said, “There are some things that are more public with Trevor, which was definitely something we wanted to investigate.”
“The most important thing is every teammate I spoke to, all the feedback I received from every organization he was with, they were not only incredibly positive about the type of teammate he has. , but also in terms of the impact that each organization has on him, “Friedman said when asked if he thought he could alienate some of the team’s fans by signing Bauer.” I think the talent is pretty obvious. But I also think that, from a cultural point of view, from continuing our efforts to improve everything we do, I think he will be an extraordinary asset in that. It’s not for me to speak for Trevor, but in our conversations he alluded to past mistakes he made. And you know what, we’re all going to make mistakes. What is important to me is how people – including me, when they make mistakes – is how we internalize and what we think about it in the future. From our point of view, it was important to have that conversation. And we walked away feeling good about it. Now, obviously, time will tell. But I feel that he is going to be an extraordinary addition, not only on the field, but in the club, in the community and that is why, obviously, that is why we are here. “
Bauer was praised for the competitiveness and work ethic. His unconventional training methods were once denounced and now seem revolutionary. He is as passionate about engaging with fans as any player and has made considerable charitable donations over the years.
But he also had public consequences with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Indians and fired on Agent Scott Boras, Commissioner Rob Manfred and the Houston Astros. His responses to subtle hits on Twitter put people in the spotlight of his followers and led to harassment. In January 2019, Bauer sent a tweet to a college student enough to say she felt harassed by Bauer and her followers. Eight months later, he got into another Twitter conflict with a member of the New York press, who later wrote that he “had death mentions and Holocaust jokes in my mentions months after he went after me. ”.
“Everyone makes mistakes in the past,” Bauer said. “I try to learn from them. I try to learn as fast as I can, I try to understand other people’s views on things and be better in the future. I think if you look at my history as a baseball player, the history on social media, my history as a person, for those who know me well, will see that I apply this process to everything I do.I am committed to doing this before.And finally I am here to have a positive impact on to anyone, whether in the community, in the club, on the field, in the stadium, whatever the case. “
The 30-year-old Bauer attended high school 33 miles from Dodger Stadium and won the Golden Spikes Award at nearby UCLA, earning him third place in the 2011 draft pick. of the 2018 breakout, Bauer has evolved especially as a reliable middle-of-the-rotation starter in the first five full seasons in the major leagues, recording an ERA of 3.96 while averaging 186 innings. But Bauer finished the shortened 2020 season with an ERA of 1.73, which was surpassed only by Shane Bieber and ranked in the top five at WHIP (0.79), hit percentage (36.0) and opponents’ OPS (, 522).
Bauer said joining the Dodgers was “a long time” and remembered how he used to sit in the gardens on the left field, listening to Vin Scully on the radio. Bauer’s addition will push the Dodgers well beyond the 2021 luxury tax threshold, but Friedman said it won’t affect the team’s ability to re-enroll Justin Turner or add another right-handed player. The move marks only the second time a Cy Young award winner has joined the World Series champions, the other being Roger Clemens with the New York Yankees in 1999. Bauer probably won’t fulfill his desire to play every fourth day, but will join an initial rotation that is legitimately seven depths, including Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, David Price, Julio Urias, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin.
Baseball Prospectus’ projection tool, PECOTA, has the Dodgers on track for the top 103 major league victories in 2021.
“It wasn’t about money for me,” Bauer said. “It’s about being part of something bigger than me. Being part of an organization that can win. I want to win a World Series. I came in second in both college and major leagues. “I’m tired of this, so I want to go in first.”