Los Angeles Dodgers: Trevor Bauer is clearly out of any future plans

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a very tough position with Trevor Bauer. Simple logic would say the team can just release him and cut all ties. However, that is not how MLB finances work.

Bauer continues to be paid millions while on administrative leave as his legal situation plays out in August. He is not due in court again until the middle of the month, which explains why his leave keeps being extended.

Dodgers have moved on from Bauer

The Dodgers went out and added Max Scherzer as the new star of the rotation. Even Cole Hamels was signed to add some depth. This is easy for the team to do given the lack of an actual budget in place.

But the question does remain of what the team will do with Bauer. He has $32 million player options in 2022 and 2023. Let’s say he is cleared, legally. His situation is still one where it is hard to have him represent a franchise because of his actions. That is true regardless of the legality of the situation.

If Bauer is cleared and not suspended by MLB, the Dodgers may just eat the costs and pay Bauer a fortune to not play for the team. It is a tricky situation that no team wants to be in, for obvious reasons. The Dodgers may be the only team in MLB that can eat the money without it hurting the active roster.

For now, his administrative leave continues on. Fans can be mad the pitcher is being paid millions, but that is just the way business works. Not paying Bauer would result in even more legal action.

The Dodgers removed all mention of Bauer as soon as he went on his leave. Continuing to add pitchers showed the organization has zero intention of him returning in 2021, and potentially ever.