Dodgers Dugout: Should the Dodgers keep Trevor Bauer or release him?

An arbitrator has reinstated Trevor Bauer, making him eligible to play next season. Should the Dodgers keep him or release him? ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Los Angeles Times] Dodgers Dugout December 27, 2022 [View in browser]( [Click to view images]( Bauer (Brynn Anderson / Associated Press) Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell, and this might be the shortest Dodgers Dugout in history. We’ll be back next week to discuss all the recent happenings in Dodgerland, including Justin Turner going to the Red Sox, but I wanted to get your opinion on something to discuss next time. As you hopefully are aware, [an arbitrator shortened]( Trevor Bauer‘s suspension, making him eligible to pitch next season. The Dodgers now have until Jan. 6 to activate Bauer or release him. If they release him, they will still have to pay him the $22.5 million he will be owed for the upcoming season. And they can’t activate him and send him to the minors, because Bauer has enough service time in the majors to refuse the assignment. Enjoying this newsletter? Your support helps us deliver the news that matters most. [Become a Los Angeles Times subscriber.]( To [quote Bill Shaikin’s story]( “Neither Bauer nor the league has said what evidence the league presented in determining the suspension. When MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred imposed the suspension, Bauer said: ‘In the strongest possible terms, I deny committing any violation of the league’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy.’ “That policy, negotiated between the league and the players’ union, reads in part: ‘The confidentiality of player information is essential to the success of this policy.’ The league is explicitly forbidden from disclosing details of any violation unless Bauer or his representatives first make ‘statements challenging the discipline or denying the alleged conduct.’ ” Shaikin also wrote, “[Bauer] last pitched for the Dodgers on June 28, 2021, the day before a [San Diego woman asked for a restraining order]( against him, alleging he had sexually assaulted her. The league put Bauer on investigative leave that week and suspended him last April, and in the interim two other [women told the Washington Post]( of similar experiences with Bauer. He denied wrongdoing with all three women.” The arbitrator had the power to overturn Bauer’s entire suspension but decided to reduce it from 324 to 194 games and reinstated him immediately. So, here’s the question for you: Would you keep Bauer or release him? Reaction on social media is split, with many spirited and heated arguments taking place on several Dodgers fan sites. [Click here to vote in our poll](. Results will be revealed next week. ADVERTISEMENT In case you missed it [Dodgers surprised by timing of Trevor Bauer decision, now mulling next steps]( [Plaschke: Should the Dodgers bring back Trevor Bauer? No. Not in a million years]( [Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer reinstated immediately after suspension is reduced]( Until next time... Have a comment or something you’d like to see in a future Dodgers newsletter? Email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com, and follow me on Twitter at [@latimeshouston](. To get this newsletter in your inbox, [click here](. ADVERTISEMENT Thank you for reading the Los Angeles Times Dodgers Dugout newsletter. Invite your friends, relatives, coworkers to sign up [here](. Not a subscriber? Get unlimited digital access to latimes.com. [Subscribe here](. [Los Angeles Times] Copyright © 2022, Los Angeles Times 2300 E. Imperial Highway, El Segundo, California, 90245 1-800-LA-TIMES | [latimes.com]( *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in placing an ad or classified, get in touch [here](. We'd love your feedback on this newsletter. Please send your thoughts and suggestions [here](mailto:newsletters@latimes.com). You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from The Los Angeles Times. [Manage marketing email preferences]( · [Manage newsletter subscriptions or unsubscribe]( · [Terms of service]( · [Privacy policy]( · [Do Not Sell My Personal Information]( · [CA Notice of Collection]( FOLLOW US [Divider](#) [Facebook]( [2-tw.png]( [Instagram]( [YouTube](