Three factors worked against Bauer here, and none of them involve his alleged 'crime' (kinky sex with an extortionist).
#1 This allows the Dodgers to get out of the contract without having to pay anything. That's the biggest factor. The Dodgers didn't want to keep Bauer and they're the big spender of the entire league.
#2 Additionally, Manfred had a really good baseball reporter fired because he wrote very mildly critical things about Manfred (Ken Rosenthal). Bauer has been outspoken in his criticism of Manfred and MLB so it doesn't surprise me they went for the blackball card. Just a spite move.
#3 Racism also seems to have played a factor, as there are many examples of diverse domestic violence offenders across baseball that have had very light punishments in comparison (Ozuna got what, 20 games)? And they legit did bad things (2 police witnessed Ozuna beat his wife), whereas Bauer committed no crime at all. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Vladimir_Kyrilytch:
Three factors worked against Bauer here, and none of them involve his alleged 'crime' (kinky sex with an extortionist).
#1 This allows the Dodgers to get out of the contract without having to pay anything. That's the biggest factor. The Dodgers didn't want to keep Bauer and they're the big spender of the entire league.
#2 Additionally, Manfred had a really good baseball reporter fired because he wrote very mildly critical things about Manfred (Ken Rosenthal). Bauer has been outspoken in his criticism of Manfred and MLB so it doesn't surprise me they went for the blackball card. Just a spite move.
#3 Racism also seems to have played a factor, as there are many examples of diverse domestic violence offenders across baseball that have had very light punishments in comparison (Ozuna got what, 20 games)? And they legit did bad things (2 police witnessed Ozuna beat his wife), whereas Bauer committed no crime at all.
The cops were caught lying on their body cams about what happened to Ozuna, so as much as you'd like to make it about some kind of reverse discrimination, that claim holds absolutely no water. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mecca:
He questioned Manfred for alot of things..didn't like him and MLB like NFL can suspend for player conduct without any conviction.
Basically Manfred had an ax to grind and used it.
I'd go after everyone with a wrongful termination (suspension) lawsuit, including MLB/Manfred & the Dodgers [Reply]
Originally Posted by ChiTown:
I'd go after everyone with a wrongful termination (suspension) lawsuit, including MLB/Manfred & the Dodgers
I believe he still got paid.
At this point he's probably best served to keep his head down. Shit, the pitching market is AWFUL. He should see if there's a 1-year deal to be had out there somewhere.
Dude exited the game as possibly the best RHP out there.
EDIT:
Looks like he got docked for almost all of his 2022 salary and about 1/3 of his 2023 pay. So he got about $64 million of the $102 million due on his deal.
Hmm....$40 million ain't asswipe money. But as has been noted, the player conduct shit is so broad. That's a tough mountain to climb. [Reply]