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The Los Angeles Dodgers planned to cut ties with Trevor Bauer all along.
They never wanted to see him in a Dodger uniform again.
Still, they thought they owed him the courtesy of speaking to him directly.
Dodger executives flew to Phoenix on Thursday to meet privately with Bauer to decide if he deserved another chance, multiple high-ranking officials told USA TODAY Sports
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the private nature of the conversation.
The Dodgers owe Bauer $22.5 million this season anyway, so they decided it was worth finding out whether he deserved any consideration of remaining in the organization.
It was actually the first time the Dodgers had spoken to Bauer in the 18 months since he was placed on paid administrative leave on July 2, 2021.
Dodger officials declined to go into details of their conversation, but privately revealed that they didn’t hear any remorse, apologies or anything in the slightest from Bauer to change their mind.
They reconvened in Los Angeles, and decided Friday morning that Bauer would never again put on a Dodger uniform.
The Dodgers crafted a statement and publicly revealed their decision Friday afternoon by designating Bauer for assignment. He will be placed on unconditional release waivers Thursday at 2 p.m. ET, and become an official free agent next Friday, Jan. 13.
The Dodgers’ decision appeared to have caught Bauer by surprise. He said he was led to believe after his meeting with Dodger officials that he would be welcomed back into the organization.
“While we were unable to communicate throughout the administrative leave and arbitration process, my representatives spoke to Dodgers leadership immediately following the arbitration decision,’’ Bauer said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports and other news outlets. “Following two weeks of conversations around my return to the organization, I sat down with Dodgers leadership in Arizona (Thursday) who told me that they wanted me to return and pitch for the team this year.
