Trevor Bauer outlines wildly cheap contract terms and goals to fix reputation: Should Mets, Yankees, Orioles consider signing?

Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Trevor Bauer, the 2020 National League Cy Young winner, badly wants a second chance in MLB and is completely willing to take a wildly cheap contract with any team in the league. With the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, and New York Yankees in need of better pitching, should they seriously consider signing the disgraced star?

The reason why Trevor Bauer is having difficulty finding a job in MLB has been well-documented. Allegations of sexual assault by several women against the pitcher in 2022 led to a 324-game ban. It’s why he was out for the remainder of that season and organizations were unwilling to put him on their rosters in 2023 — despite his suspension being reduced and no charges ever being pressed against him.

Yet, it is understandable why many franchises are not interested in signing the disgraced pitcher considering the fears of public blowback they would receive from his addition. The one-time All-Star is well aware of the big risk franchises see in him, and it’s why earlier this month he outlined the team-friendly deal he is willing to take and the work he would put into fixing his image around the sport.

“I’ll play for the league minimum and earn my money based on incentives,” Bauer said during a recent appearance on “The Past Weekend with Theo Von” podcast. “I’m throwing harder, I’ve developed new pitches, my command is better, and I’m still one of the best pitchers in the world. I’d love to prove that … I just want a job.

• Trevor Bauer stats (Japan-2023): 11-4 record, 2.59 ERA, 1.130 WHIP, 160 SO, 156.2 IP

“Let me just prove I’m still one of the best pitchers. Let me prove that I have a lot to offer an organization. I want to work together with the team. I want to be a positive in the community, in the clubhouse, on the field, and overall for the game of baseball,” he continued, “I know that I can be that and it’s why I have no problem taking an incentive-based contract because I know I can go out there and deliver.”

Should the New York Yankees or Baltimore Orioles seriously consider signing Trevor Bauer?

Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Spring training is underway around MLB and oddly enough, top-level starting pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are still available on the free-agent market. However, teams around the league have balked at the alleged asking price for the two talented starters. Yet teams like the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles still could use upgrades to their rotations.

The Yankees reportedly are still interested in Snell and Montgomery, but adding them at the rate they prefer would lead to massive salary tax penalties for the team in 2024. As for the Mets, they seem done making notable free-agent signings but they still lack a bonafide ace on their rotation. Adding Bauer would be a huge addition to either roster and greatly improve their rotations with very little cost.

Unfortunately, with New York City being the biggest media market in the country, it’s likely the signing would receive a great deal of negative press. It is unclear if either team is willing to endure the media storm the signing Bauer would create in Gotham.

That is why the Baltimore Orioles seem like a perfect fit. The franchise is back on the doorstep of being a title contender and with recent injury issues to a pair of starters ahead of the new season, Bauer fills a need while being cost-effective — a long-time preference of the organization.

Furthermore, after a blockbuster trade for 2021 CY Young winner Corbin Burnes earlier this month, a one-two punch of Burnes and Bauer would seriously push Baltimore into the World Series conversation. Baltimore is a notable but far smaller city than New York when it comes to media coverage. The organization might have a better chance of weathering the backlash after a potential deal is made.

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Trevor Bauer pitched last year in Japan for the Yokohama Bay Stars and was impressive as he posted a, 11-4 record with a 2.59 ERA and 1.130 WHIP in 24 starts. The league minimum in MLB is just $720,000.

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