Trevor Bauer has been given the green light to play in the Mexican League after being cleared of charges related to sexual assault. The executive president for the Diablos Rojos club, Othón Díaz, confirmed that Bauer, the 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner, will participate in five games for the team, including an exhibition match against the New York Yankees.
In 2022, Bauer received a two-season suspension without pay from baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred for violating the league’s policies on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. This decision came after a woman from San Diego accused Bauer of physical and sexual abuse, allegations that Bauer denied. However, an arbitration panel later reduced the suspension to 194 games. As a result, Bauer was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 2023 and subsequently played for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan's Pacific League last season.
Despite the serious allegations, Bauer was not charged with any crime, and the legal dispute with the woman who made the accusations was settled. Othón Díaz expressed that Bauer's presence will help elevate the Diablos Rojos brand and attract more attention to the team.
Díaz emphasized the importance of signing players who not only excel in sports but also positively impact the team's image and popularity. Bauer's announcement of joining the Mexican League garnered significant social media engagement, indicating the potential for growth and expansion of the team's fan base.
Having served his MLB suspension, Bauer is now free to sign with any MLB team if an opportunity arises. The pitcher, known for his career stats of 83-69 with a 3.79 ERA in various teams, including Arizona, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and the Dodgers, remains a sought-after player despite the controversies surrounding him.
It is worth noting that former MLB pitcher Roberto Osuna, who faced a 75-game suspension in 2018 for violating the domestic violence policy, also played for the Diablos Rojos in recent years. The team's decision to recruit players with controversial pasts raises questions about the balance between talent and ethical considerations in professional sports.
As the Diablos Rojos aim to solidify their position in the Mexican league and compete with more popular sports like soccer, the addition of players like Bauer could be a strategic move to attract a wider audience and enhance the team's reputation in the sports industry.
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