[OSEN=Lee Sang-hak, Contributing Writer] Trevor Bauer (35), the former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher expelled from Major League Baseball due to personal conduct controversies, has also lost his foothold in Japan. His performance has declined, and ongoing character disputes have left no team willing to accept him.
Edwin Hernandez, who primarily covers baseball news in Central and South America and Japan, posted on his SNS on the 26th (Korean time), stating, “Bauer is unlikely to sign with an NPB team in 2026. The situation could change, but as of now, his chances of playing in Japan are low.”
Bauer’s agent, Rachel Lubah, directly commented on the post. Lubah explained, “Bauer currently does not wish to sign with an NPB team. NPB teams have asked to be contacted if the situation changes,” implying that while there is demand in Japan, Bauer himself is unwilling.
However, this explanation lacks persuasiveness. Bauer played for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars last year but was released as a free agent after the season. DeNA President Yota Kimura stated in December last year regarding Bauer, “There was no discussion about him returning to Japan, and we did not extend an offer.”
Last year, Bauer recorded 4 wins, 10 losses, a 4.51 ERA, and 119 strikeouts over 21 games (133⅔ innings) with DeNA. While he achieved a shutout against the Yomiuri Giants, his overall performance was disappointing. In Japan’s extreme pitcher-friendly environment, where the Central League’s average ERA was 2.97 last year, a 4.50 ERA was a failing grade for a foreign pitcher.
In his first year in Japan (2023), he excelled with 10 wins, 4 losses, a 2.76 ERA, and 130 strikeouts over 19 games (130⅔ innings). After playing in Mexico in 2024, he returned to DeNA last year but showed a clear decline over two seasons. His average fastball velocity dropped from 151.8 km/h to 150.3 km/h, and his control worsened, making his $6 million salary seem unjustified.
Beyond his declining skills, an incident eroded trust among Japanese fans. On August 21 last year, during a game against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Bauer was caught kicking the bat of opposing batter Kaito Konno that had fallen to the ground after the fifth inning. This act enraged Japanese fans, who revere the sanctity of the game.
Subsequently demoted to the minors, Bauer further fueled controversy by delaying his return, citing poor conditioning. He returned on October 1, the season’s final day, but struggled with 3 innings pitched and 4 earned runs against the Yakult Swallows. To compound matters, on October 8, he appeared as a reliever in a practice game against a corporate team but allowed 5 hits, 2 walks, and 5 earned runs in one inning. His final preseason checkup before the Climax Series was a disaster, and he failed to make the series roster.
Given his complete collapse, Japanese fans find it absurd that Bauer is being portrayed as a potential returnee. Comments under the article criticize, “A corporate team couldn’t handle him, so why would NPB teams offer contracts?” “His bad habits from MLB haven’t changed,” “He lacks respect for opponents,” and “He should go to Korea or Taiwan.”
Bauer cannot immediately join the KBO League either. All 10 KBO teams have finalized their foreign pitcher signings and entered spring training. While mid-season replacements are possible, his declining skills and character issues make it unlikely any team would take the risk. A few KBO teams reportedly considered signing him years ago but removed him from their list due to these concerns.
Bauer, who debuted with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012, played for the Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, and LA Dodgers until 2021, compiling an 83-69 record with a 3.79 ERA and 1,416 strikeouts over 222 games (1297⅔ innings, 212 starts). After winning the 2020 NL Cy Young Award with the Reds, he signed a 3-year, $120 million free-agent contract with the Dodgers, sparking headlines.
However, in June 2021, he was sued for sexual assault, leading to an administrative leave and the end of his MLB career. Though prosecutors dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence, MLB imposed a 324-game suspension in April 2022. Bauer appealed, and an independent arbitrator reduced it to 194 games in December 2022, allowing him to return in 2023. The Dodgers, however, unconditionally released him, forfeiting $22.5 million in remaining salary. They grew tired of his lack of remorse and refusal to apologize.
Even at the minimum salary of $720,000, no team showed interest. Before the assault allegations, Bauer was already known for unpredictable behavior, such as injuring his hand while repairing a drone, which prevented him from playing in the World Series, and angrily throwing a ball over the outfield wall after being pulled from a game. He frequently clashed with fans on social media and criticized MLB, constantly sparking controversy.
Bauer attempted a comeback in Japan in 2023 but failed. He pleaded, “I caused pain for MLB and my peers. I’ve reflected a lot. I want to compete at the highest level again,” but no team reached out. After a year in Mexico, he returned to Japan but struggled and faced renewed character criticism, effectively ending his career. Now 35, where will Bauer go next? /waw@osen.co.kr
