Photo Credit: AP
The 2020 National League Cy Young winner, Trevor Bauer, and the defending World Series Champions, Los Angeles Dodgers came to a contract agreement which will bring the star pitcher to LA for three years. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the contract is a $102 million dollar deal with Bauer earning a record setting $40 million during the 2021 season alone. Although it is hard to fault Bauer for signing a contract that will make him the highest paid player in a single season, what can be doubted is Bauer’s tough guy persona that he displays both on and off the field.
Since entering Major League Baseball as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks back in 2012, Bauer has not made the best reputation for himself. Not only has Bauer been accused of harassing reporters on social media, but is known for his antics when he lost his temper against the Kansas City Royals and decided to chuck the baseball over the centerfield wall, calling out fellow MLB players and even the commissioner, Rob Manfred, and trolling fans on social media. If one thing is certain, it is that Trevor Bauer is not as tough as he thinks he is, especially not now.
Before joining the Dodgers, the highly sought out free agent pitcher trolled baseball fans by posting different team merchandise with his name on it. Not only did he post giveaways for Dodgers merchandise, but he also posted merchandise of the New York Mets, the other team that was trying to persuade the pitcher to come to the Big Apple. However, instead of joining a team that is young with a promising future ahead, “Big Bad Bauer” signed to a team that not only won the World Series last season, but is joining a team with a bullpen that already has two former Cy Young winners; Clayton Kershaw and David Price.
Signing with the Dodgers also shows what kind of competitor Bauer is. Instead of proving to the world why he is one of the best pitchers in baseball and being a big fish in a small pond with the Mets, he decided to go to a team where he does not have to face any pressure to succeed and can be a small fish in a big pond. In New York, Bauer could have been the main man for the Mets and show why he is so feared on the mound, but rather he settled to join a team that won it all without him.
If you were upset when Kevin Durant decided to join the Golden State Warriors after the Warriors dominated on the court without him, or were angry when King James decided to play for the Lakers, then you should be equally upset with Bauer signing with the Dodgers.
Bauer might act like a tough guy, but this deal tells a completely different story.
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