Long before he signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers, or was suspended by Major League Baseball, Trevor Bauer was a polarizing baseball player.
Whether it was his unique training regimen on the field, or his well-chronicled off-the-field exploits, the pitcher has been a magnet for controversy. As early as Feb. 2013, less than a year after his major league debut with Cleveland, beat writers were remarking that Bauer "couldn't stay out of the news."
Eleven years later, little has changed.
On Thursday, it was announced that Bauer had joined a tryout team consisting of mostly Japanese expats that was previously scheduled to play a team of Dodgers minor leaguers in a back-field game Sunday in Arizona.
The condensed version of the story — "Bauer to pitch against former team" — was nominally correct, even if Bauer doesn't face any of his former teammates. He's unlikely to face a player of the caliber he's hoping to face in an MLB game this season.
Still, the news was enough to elicit a variety of opinions among fans. Predictably, those opinions were mixed. Here is a sampling of reactions:
I wonder if he’s paying the team for this opportunity. HUGE RISK/REWARD opportunity. If he dominates the Dodgers, some teams will do a 180 and try to sign him for league minimum. If the Dodgers tee-off on him, he’s cooked.
— 2020 WS Champs - 2024 Contenders (@roloH88) March 7, 2024
He got canceled by major league baseball. It is what it is.
— Todd Goslin I/Me (@GoslinTodd) March 7, 2024
— Jesus Acevedo (@CVSoccerReferee) March 7, 2024
The one time this year I will root for the dodgers.
— J (@JCDBPK) March 8, 2024
get him w/ the #rockies
— Hockey On High (@HockeyonHigh) March 8, 2024
I am actually so conflicted on him if I am being honest.
— Ohtani Stan Account (@B_villines) March 7, 2024
This is like a Mexican Novela. I don't like him but c'mon @Dodgers just sign him for 3 years at a minimum salary.
— Gera24 (@gera24) March 8, 2024
Since the game doesn't matter I hope he does great and shows he is a MLB quality pitcher that is being blackballed.
— Tyler Nelson (@tyler21012) March 7, 2024
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