Disgraced MLB star Trevor Bauer has revealed that no teams in the league have taken the opportunity to sign him, despite the fact that he is willing to play for free. Bauer, 35, was blackballed by MLB franchises after multiple allegations of sexual assault were made against him, and he has not pitched in America since 2021.
In the years since, Bauer has continuously talked up a return to the big leagues while playing in both Japan and Mexico. Bauer finally made steps towards that earlier this month after returning to American baseball by joining a minor league team, the Long Island Ducks. The former Cy Young Award winner had hoped this move would pave the way to an eventual return to MLB but, according to Bauer, that does not seem likely.
Speaking on OutKick's 'Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich', Bauer explained: 'I don't know exactly what goes on behind the scenes. I have my suspicions, of course. All I know is what the pattern is that we see. I can't tell you how many different teams we've talked to.'
He claimed that during his calls to teams, he has received assurances that they will take the leap and sign him to the roster, before seeing the deals eventually fall through. 'Nothing happens for two or three days and we get a call back saying: 'Hey, we can't really talk about this, but sorry, it's not going to work out.' People can think what they want to think about it but the ultimate reality is, I still, I don't have a job.
'I haven't been allowed to play baseball in the MLB again. I've offered to play for free, I've offered to go to the minor leagues, I've offered to literally donate my entire salary back to the team's foundations and to play literally for zero dollars.'
Bauer had hoped that his performance for the Long Island Ducks and during his time in both Japan and Mexico might sway MLB teams to take a chance on him. The 35-year-old threw a seven-inning no-hitter for the Ducks on Sunday afternoon. 'It just doesn't feel like anything that I do is going to be sufficient. No matter how well I pitch or what I say or don't say or whatever,' he explained.
Bauer has previously claimed that teams are colluding to keep him out of baseball since multiple allegations of sexual assault came to light, beginning in 2021. The pitcher has always denied the allegations. In 2022, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office decided not to file criminal charges against Bauer over allegations made by his first accuser. After that decision, Bauer and his accuser sued each other. In 2023, they settled both suits without admission of wrongdoing or exchanging money. Three other women have accused Bauer of sexual assault. One of those women was later charged with defrauding the pitcher.
'We are excited to welcome Trevor to Long Island,' said Ducks president and chief business officer Michael Pfaff. 'His talent and knowledge will be important additions to our ballclub, and we are happy to offer him this opportunity to showcase his talents to MLB clubs while giving fans unprecedented access to Ducks baseball.'
