New Texas Rangers infielder Corey Seager speaks at a press conference at Globe Life Field Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. The Texas Rangers have finalized the contracts for their new half-billion dollar middle infield, wrapping up their deals Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 with two-time All-Star shortstop Corey Seager and Gold Glove second baseman Marcus Semien.(AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez)
Corey Seager to replace Ronald Acuña Jr on a four years contract …
Trevor Bauer has been a hot talking point among Braves fans since Spencer Strider went on the IL with a UCL injury. Should the Braves sign the 2020 NL Cy Young, who was last seen heading the Dodgers rotation to the tune of a 2.59 ERA over 17 starts before he was handed the largest suspension in MLB history?
From a baseball perspective, there’s some merit to the conversation. I firmly believe Bauer could soften the blow of losing arguably the best pitcher in baseball, something only a few pitchers on the planet can say, given how irreplaceable Strider is to the Braves. He was last seen tossing exhibition games for several different clubs, and the stuff looked a lot like it did when he was making mince meat out of opposing lineups, with a fastball sitting in the high 90s and touching 99.
Who wouldn’t want a guy like that on your team? Well, apparently everyone.
Bauer has been reinstated by the league and is free to sign with whomever he likes. He’s even said he’s willing to play for the league minimum. All he wants is another opportunity to pitch in the majors.
Now, I don’t want to get into the ins and outs of the Bauer case, because frankly, anyone acting like they have all the details is probably lying, and speculating on those kinds of things is foolish. But I will say, athletes have done a ton of terrible things in the world of sports, baseball included, and had no problem finding a way back into the league. The people who do have all of the details — the teams in the league — have shown no interest in signing him. There’s a reason for that, and there’s a reason he was handed the largest suspension in MLB history, whether you want to believe it or not.
Secondly, the Braves always have been a pristine organization that prides itself on team chemistry. Alex Anothopoulos has talked ad nauseam about how the way players fit into the clubhouse is just as important as the talent. If a person he trusts gives a player a poor review, he will not acquire him. Bauer’s had more public feuds throughout his career with players, coaches, and organizations than Tiger Woods has had mistresses. Which brings us to Marcell Ozuna.
A lot of folks want to bring up the fact that the Braves still have Ozuna on the roster despite his off-the-field transgressions, but the situation couldn’t be more different. Had those incidents occurred prior to him signing a four-year, $64 million contract with the organization, he would have never been on the team. The Braves owed him $50 million no matter what, which obviously played a major role. They owe Bauer nothing.
But perhaps more importantly, Ozuna is one of the most well-liked players in the entire clubhouse. Remember that thing I said about team chemistry? The rave reviews he received from his teammates is the #1 reason the Braves opted to stick with him. Had that not been the case, he might have been gone years ago.
You can beg, cry, and plead for the Braves to sign Trevor Bauer, but you’re wasting your time. His reputation precedes him as a teammate; that alone makes him a no-go in Atlanta. The off-the-field issues are just the icing on the cake.
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