Trevor Bauer News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/trevor-bauer/ Minnesota sports, but different Fri, 16 Feb 2024 00:18:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Trevor Bauer News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/trevor-bauer/ 32 32 Trevor Bauer, Minnesota Twins are a Perfect Fit; Falvey Needs to Move Before it’s Too Late https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/minnesota-twins-should-sign-trevor-bauer/ Wed, 14 Feb 2024 18:40:41 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=47726 Spring Training began today for a plethora of MLB teams, including the Minnesota Twins. One player not on their roster, or anyone else’s is former Cy Young winner, Trevor Bauer, who hasn’t played in a Major League Baseball game since June 28, 2021 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Related: Minnesota Twins Players are Starting to Trickle into Fort Myers for 2024 Spring Training

That’s when a woman from San Diego accused Bauer of sexually assaulting her. Two other women joined the suit against him, and shortly after, he was slapped with a 324-game suspension, which was later reduced to 194 games, thanks to an independent arbitrator. The Dodgers released him about 13 months ago (Jan 2023).

The 33-year-old Bauer has denied allegations against him, saying the sexual encounters were consensual. The initial lawsuit was dropped, after Bauer filed a defamation suit against the original accuser. He still has an active civil defamation case against a woman in Arizona.

Trevor Bauer desperate to get back into the MLB

“I agreed to do things I shouldn’t have done. It was reckless. It hurt a lot of people along the way. It made things very difficult for Major League Baseball, for the Dodgers, my teammates, friends, family, people close to me. So I’ve done a lot of reflecting on that and made a lot of changes in my life to address that.”

Bauer – Jan. 2024 (FOX News interview)

For someone who is claiming innocence, this is about as much as you can expect them to take responsibility for their actions. Bauer says everything he did was consensual, but that he knew he was doing freaky stuff in bed that could get him in trouble, if it ever went public (it did) or if one of his sexual companions ever came after him (they did). Thus, he claims, he doesn’t go out anymore and doesn’t date casually.

Related: Twins TV Deal Official; Sides Move to Hide Terms of New Contract from Fans

In a January interview, Trevor Bauer told Outkick’s Tomi Lauren that he doesn’t have casual sex anymore, after this entire saga derailed his life and baseball career, which is part of the responsibility he has taken for everything that has happened.

“I’ve stopped having, like, casual sexual relationships. Stopped agreeing to engage in rough sex acts. I’m looking for more people that add value to my life instead of something that I’m doing for a couple of hours on a night and then kind of forget about. I have other things that I’m focused on. I’d like to go back to work. I have a job, I run a business. Maybe I go back to dating at some point in the future but not something I’m focused on right now.”

Bauer to Outkick’s Tomi Lauren (quote via Sportsnaut)

I’m not here to proclaim Trevor Bauer’s innocence. That’s for a legal system to decide. There are really bad people all over the professional sports landscape, at all levels. If he’s eligible to play, then it’s up to every team in the league to decide individually if the drama and controversy of signing him is worth what he will bring to the team on the baseball diamond.

So far, the answer to that question has been “no”. And lately, Bauer has gone even more public with his desire to play in the MLB again. He says he will shut his mouth, play for the league minimum and do his job with a big smile on his face. Trevor claims all he wants is a shot at making a roster out of spring training. No guarantees, no handshake pictures. Just a non-roster invite somewhere. Here he is on the Theo Von podcast last week:

Would a flyer on Trevor Bauer be worth it?

So, what could Trevor Bauer offer a Major League Baseball starting rotation, if he does indeed still have years left on the prime of his career; which, given his early-30’s age, he still should? Well, if anyone wants a possible Cy Young candidate on a league minimum contract + incentives, I’d say he’s at least worth looking into.

Prior to June 2021, Bauer was one of the most dominant starting pitchers in all of baseball. He won the Cy Young during the pandemic shortened 2020 season, posting video game numbers in just 74 innings pitched (1.73 ERA, 100 SO, 17 BB, 0.795 WHIP, 2.88 FIP and 284 ERA+).

The next season (2021), before the Dodgers shut him down because of the sexual assault allegations against him, Bauer was on pace to his second-straight Cy Young. He had pitched 107 innings, posting a 2.59 ERA, 137 strikeouts, 37 walks, 1.003 WHIP and 163 ERA+. In other words, he was absurdly dominant.

From the start of 2020, through when he as banned from American baseball at the end of June 2021, Trevor Bauer was one of the best pitchers in the world and there’s really no disputing that. It’s why the Dodgers signed him to a 3-year, $102 million deal before the 2021 season.

Related: Derek Falvey Says Minnesota Twins are Still Working on More Potential Moves

While serving his suspension, Bauer went over to Japan and struggled in a much lower league. Is that a reason not to sign him? No, there was a lot going on in his life. Is it a reason to be concerned he may no longer have what he once did? Sure. But again, he isn’t asking for a 10-year contract. He’s begging for a Spring Training invite.

Signing Trevor Bauer a no-brainer decision for Minnesota Twins

trevor bauer pitching
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins have been on the hunt for another mid-rotation starting pitcher, since the start of the offseason. The assumption was always that Sonny Gray would leave and that the Twins would be left twisting and turning, to try and find another ace-type arm to replace him.

They’ve been trying to sell a Tommy John rehabilitated Chris Paddack has a chance to be that guy, and hopefully they are right. But he’s never proven himself as anything more than a high-upside youngster.

Related: Twins Trade Nick Gordon To Miami Marlins for Left-Handed Pitcher

If Trevor Bauer really has turned his life around and, as he claims, can still pitch near a Cy Young level, he’s represents a chance for the Twins’ front office to replace Sonny Gray for one year, at a league minimum salary. If he doesn’t have it anymore or he proves not to be the changed person he claims, drop him and move on.

The Twins — with Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Pablo Lopez — offer one of the most stable locker rooms in the league for Bauer to drop into. And most importantly, since this is professional sports we’re talking about, Bauer offers Minnesota their best chance at gaining exactly what the 2024 team is still missing, if they want to be a legitimate World Series contender.

From a pure baseball standpoint, signing Trevor Bauer is a no-brainer decision. And because of the circumstances surrounding the 2024 Twins, they are the perfect landing spot for him. Yes, you will get some heat from certain media outlets and PR Director Dustin Morse would be busy for a week fielding complaints.

Most times, I’d argue the juice isn’t worth the squeeze. But in this situation, given the Twins’ self-inflicted salary restraints, combined with their drive to remain competitive, taking a flyer on Bauer seems 100% worth a shot.

]]> Thu, 15 Feb 2024 18:18:18 +0000 Minnesota Twins More Offseason Moves Coming for Twins After Correa Signing https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/more-moves-coming-minnesota-twins/ Tue, 10 Jan 2023 21:56:12 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=41480 The Minnesota Twins are a much better team with Carlos Correa on roster. That much is undeniable. But are they good enough to contend for a playoff spot? How much more do they need to add to be seriously considered as a World Series contender?

More moves coming

Those questions are sure to be debated over the next handful of weeks, as we approach spring training. But there’s little doubt, according to Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP), that the Twins’ pitching staff will look noticeably different come March. “More is coming”, Doogie told the Mackey and Judd show on Tuesday afternoon.

“More is coming. As you look at the starting rotation, I will be very very surprised when we talk, whether it’s in two weeks or two months, before opening day if Twins starting rotation as it looks right now is that when we revisit this back and forth. More is coming.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey and Judd Show (SKOR North)

Wolfson then goes on to talk about possible pitchers who the Minnesota Twins might be interested in. He hesitates before diving into ongoing talks with the Miami Marlins about starting pitcher Pablo Lopez. He even goes into the Twins’ ties to recently reinstated Trevor Bauer.

“They’ve engaged Miami on Pablo Lopez. Heck, I know Trevor Bauer is about to hit the market. Falvey has the history in Cleveland. Thad Levine was a college teammate of Trevor’s agent. They’ll do their due-diligence.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey and Judd Show (SKOR North)

Eventually, Darren and Judd decide that Bauer is probably too hot for the Twins to handle. Not just because of his suspension stemming from off the field sexual assault accusations, but also due to the friction he’s caused in previous locker rooms. Still, as Wolfson admits, Trevor Bauer is clearly the best free agent pitcher available and has a lot of ties to the Minnesota Twins organization.

Trade Bait

If the Twins aren’t comfortable adding Bauer then their best option to add notable pitching help is through the trade market. The starters remaining in free agency are not good enough to confidently place them ahead of any of the team’s current starters. What this rotation needs is help on the front end of its staff. Preferably a legitimate Ace.

But there have already been reports this offseason showing a willingness to wheel and deal. Those rumors have included batting champion Luis Arraez, right fielder Max Kepler and any of the three starters on expiring contracts (Maeda, Gray, Mahle).

But the Twins front office will have some important decisions to make because teams aren’t trading away anything significant before they see Kenta Maeda and Tyler Mahle pitch successfully.

Will Twins Trade a Pitcher?

Which is exactly what Darren Wolfson said a bit later during his appearance on Mackey and Judd today. There isn’t any steam behind a Falvine effort to move Sonny Gray, either. He even mentioned a possible extension between the Twins and Gray.

“If you’re another team, you need to see {Kenta] Maeda, you need to see [Tyler] Mahle on the mound in spring. [Sonny] Gray would be the guy. There’s no buzz right now. I think there’s a better chance the Twins try to sign him to a 2 or 3 or 4 year extension, not that talks have picked up much on that front.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey and Judd Show (SKOR North)
Trading prospects?

Could Derek Falvey and thad Levine turn to the farm system, in order to improve their rotation for 2023. Doogie seems pretty sure they’ll do something to address the pitching staff but seemed pretty closed to a deal that included any of the three most valuable, tradeable pitching assets. The organization does have a lot of depth in the infield suddenly.

With Carlos Correa back on roster (pending a physical) the Minnesota Twins could build a solid contender in 2023 and going forward. But to do so, they’ll have to make the correct moves over the next 2-3 months. Something they’ve failed to do with much consistency during the Faline era.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> Tue, 10 Jan 2023 15:56:16 +0000 Minnesota Twins Starting Pitchers the Twins Can Trade for at the Deadline https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/starting-pitchers-the-twins-need-to-trade-for-at-the-deadline/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/starting-pitchers-the-twins-need-to-trade-for-at-the-deadline/#respond Sat, 22 Aug 2020 00:26:43 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=28992

Let’s be honest, the Minnesota Twins need some help if they are going to win the World Series this year. Although they are 17-9 (a 105-win pace in a 162-game season) and leading the AL Central, there are still areas to improve.

With offense down across the league and the Twins starting pitching rotation a relative mess, there are plenty of moves to make. The August 31st trade deadline is less than 10 days away. So who should the Twins try and pickup?

Some may see the decreased offensive numbers and think a bat would be great, but this team is still one of the best offenses in the league. This means a pitcher would be the most logical option. Because pitching wins championships and the Twins are in desperate need of a true bonafide ace to get them there. Some may think Berrios is that ace, especially after a great outing against the Brewers. But one start is a long ways from being a true ace.

Yet this exercise is going to be based solely on who the Twins could try to acquire. What they would have to give up will come in a later trade-bait piece.

Trevor Bauer, RHP, Cincinnati Reds

Although it would take an absolute haul to get him, Bauer would fit right in with the Twins and their fanbase. Often outspoken on player issues and a goofball in his own right, Bauer is the real deal on the mound. Through the first 20+ games of 2020 he has been one of the premier pitchers in the league. He leads all of MLB with an absurd 0.68 ERA while also holding a 0.57 WHIP and 14.01 K/9.

In addition to his crazy stats, Bauer is also a pending free agent after the season. Meaning he would likely only be a rental to get a ring unless both sides agree he is the right fit long term. He will command a hefty price tag, but the Pohlads seem to have turned a corner in terms of spending. Especially after signing Josh Donaldson to a four-year $92 million deal this past offseason.

On top of all that, his goofball antics would make the team that much more fun to follow and watch. He is what you want in a ballplayer. Someone who speaks their mind and stands by what they believe in. FREE JOE KELLY, DAMNIT!

Lance Lynn, RHP, Texas Rangers

Does this name sound familiar? It should if you are a hardcore Twins fan as Lynn was a member of an awful team in 2018. He went 7-8 in 20 starts while having a 5.10 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. Yet the tides have seemed to change for Lynn as he has become a premier pitcher for the Texas Rangers. With a 0.74 WHIP and 1.11 ERA, he has become one of the hottest commodities for the upcoming trade deadline.

His contract is also reasonable for a pitcher of his caliber. He is scheduled to make $10 million in 2020 and 2021. We have seen the Twins throw more money at lesser pitchers (Ervin Santana anyone?). That makes this a potential match made in heaven. He may not be the big name starter anticipated, but if his recent performances are any indicator, Lynn could give the Twins a real chance at winning it all in 2020.

Dylan Bundy, RHP, Los Angeles Angels

Although it is just his first year in the City of Angels, Bundy has made a name for himself as a potential trade deadline target. Currently holding a 2.48 ERA, 10.47 K/9, and a much improved pitch mix including his slider and four-seamer, Bundy is someone the Twins should have on their board.

On top of that, he comes cheap. Making a mere $1.85 million this year with one more year before arbitration. Oh, and he is only 27 meaning he is hitting his prime and could be a longer term option in the rotation. That is if the Twins want a dynasty. It may require a haul of prospects or current rostered players to bring him to Minnesota, but if it isn’t sacrificing too much that may be worth it.

Matthew Boyd, LHP, Detroit Tigers

The Tigers in the midst of a massive transition. After losing an abhorrent 114 games in 2019, the rebuild was in full effect. Yet even if they are in rebuild mode, they are still in the AL Central and competitors with the Twins. So this trade would likely take a good amount of prospects to make work.

Even if that is the case, Boyd may be worth it. He had an abysmal second half to 2019 (6.46 ERA) and start to 2020 (9.64 ERA). The Twins have pitching coach Wes Johnson though, a coach who seems to be a guru at getting the best out of his pitchers when the team needs them most. Boyd also has a friendly contract. He makes only $5.3 million in 2020 and not arbitration eligible until 2021. Even if he didn’t make an immediate impact, the team could win their arbitration hearing with him and continue to tweak his performance.

Kevin Gausman, RHP, San Francisco Giants

A pending free agent, Gausman may be another rental if acquired in 2020. Although he struggled as a starter in 2019, his 2020 suggests he has put in the time to become a solidified starter. He has seen a hefty jump in four-seamer velocity from 93.9 to 95.3 mph and an increase in whiff rate from 21.8% to 24.3%. Those jumps surrounded by a potent offense and Wes Johnson’s tutelage could make him an intriguing pickup for the Twins.

Who Do the Twins Give Up?

As mentioned, it all depends on who the team is trading for in the long-run. There are plenty of pieces the Twins could try to move to acquire what they think is the final piece to get to the promised land. Yet that is a blog for another day…

Whatever happens, the Twins still need help in the rotation. Expect them to be actively pushing offers in the coming week. If not, grab your torches and pitchforks and have fun storming the castle.

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/starting-pitchers-the-twins-need-to-trade-for-at-the-deadline/feed/ 0 Fri, 21 Aug 2020 19:29:12 +0000 Minnesota Twins Trevor Bauer Dives DEEP into Max Kepler’s 5-Straight DEEP Balls Hit Off Him Last Season https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/trevor-bauer-dives-deep-on-max-kepler-taking-him-deep-five-consecutive-times-in-2019/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/trevor-bauer-dives-deep-on-max-kepler-taking-him-deep-five-consecutive-times-in-2019/#respond Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:37:43 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=23200

First, I know I’m a little late to the party on this one.. it’s a crazy time in my house. Second, I want Trevor Bauer to play for the Minnesota Twins. That’s right. The Twins (if the season ever happens) still need an ace to head their rotation and I want Trevor Bauer to be that guy.

Bauer was insane in 2018, dominating opponents to a tune of a 2.27 ERA | 1.089 WHIP | 5.8 WAR, but struggled in 2019, while in Cleveland. His ERA ballooned to over 6, but he got way better after landing in Cincinnati for the last quarter of the season.

I don’t know if I’d want him doing these videos anymore, though, if we were to get him here. Bauer REALLY dives deep into his thought process when he faces hitters, during these breakdown sessions.

As a baseball guy, though, I love it. This is why baseball people love baseball and find every pitch interesting. If you watch the game close enough, some of these thoughts are going through your head pitch-to-pitch, too. Obviously, most of us aren’t going to the depth of Bauer, but some of the general thought processes are the same.

Here is the full video. It’s 30 minutes long and I would recommend it for anyone. Those who don’t know the game as well, can get a better idea of why others call it a “thinking man’s game”, and hopefully watch from a new lens, when the sports world gets back up and rolling again. Those who love baseball already, will eat it up.

I will breakdown his breakdown below the video, with time slots to keep us aligned as you watch.

I love how he starts the video. “Alright you heathens… all you internet trolls out there in Minnesota…”

[00:40 – 14:40] | After the intro, Bauer gets into his first game of the season vs the Twins. It gets a little wordy and takes up nearly half of the video. It’s still important, though, because it does setup the important stuff.

Kepler didn’t hit well during that first game. Bauer goes through each pitch and talks about Max’s strike zone and the scouting report Cleveland had for him, going into 2019.

Cleveland’s 2019 Scouting Report on Max.

Max can get around on just about anything, that is low and inside. Like Bauer says, Kepler naturally wants to open his hips a little earlier, in his swing, than a standard hitting coach would like (“stay back” is what you’ll hear coaches say). That’s why he hits that low and inside pitch so well, no matter the speed, and why he’s had issues hitting anything outside (especially soft)… until last season.

That scouting report worked really well in that first game. Bauer held Kepler hitless but also mentions the possibility of weather and lack of at-bats early in the season, playing heavily into those first AB’s. However, he also talks about mistakes he and the ump make in that first game, that helps lead to Max’s insane 5-consecutive HR streak later in the season.

Bauer misses his spot on a couple different pitches and he thinks that helps to set up Kepler for his streak. The ump definitely misses a strike-3 call that allows Max to see pitches Bauer wasn’t going to throw to him, had the strike-3 been called.

[14:40 – 16:50] | HR #1: The scouting report for Max is still the same but Kepler has had plenty of at-bats throughout the season, at this point, and the weather has warmed up.

I love this breakdown. It goes deep into one big reason why Kepler was so much better last year, than he had been up until that point. Whether Max was expecting that change-up or not (like Bauer claims), he still opens his hips up way too early… but now, he’s able to keep his hands back, NOT roll his wrists over, and still drive the barrel through the ball. When you get fooled like this, it’s hard to even make contact, let alone drive it out of the park.

[16:50 – 22:50] | HR #2 + BB: Bauer comes into this at-bat thinking curveballs. He opens with a beautiful one that freezes Max. He then wastes a curveball before coming in high with a beautiful fastball. At this point, he has Kepler in the bag if he plays it right…. but he doesn’t. After Max is way late on the 1-1 fastball that makes the count 1-2… Bauer should come back with the heat, again. He says the same thing. Instead, he throws a curveball that Max gets a piece of, which extends the at-bat.

Then, he tries another low change-up and Kepler reminds him again, that he can hit that pitch really far now. Bauer gets pissed off in the next at-bat, admits to overthrowing due to competitiveness, and walks Kepler.

[23:00 – 25:05] | HR #3 and #4: The third and fourth straight homeruns show the other side of Kepler’s swing, which is exactly why you do NOT want to throw a low-inside fastball when he is at the plate. It plays directly into his swing. He opens those hips up, snaps his wrists through, and just POWERS those pitches off the barrel and into flames.

Bauer makes the same mistake for two-straight bombas that Kepler just destroys.

[25:10 – 27:00] | HR #5: Trevor is just over it at this point… The last homerun is off of a backdoor curve that should be, according to the scouting report, a good pitch against Max. Sure it’s elevated, as Bauer says, but that still would have been ok against pre-2019 Kepler. Not anymore. BANG… that’s number 5.

[27:00 – END] | Kepler squares to bunt against the shift, after his 5th-straight HR, which makes Bauer laugh. He only tries it once before going back to hacking away. Then, Bauer throws his first cutter of the season, vs Max.

Trevor claims their scouting report shows the cutter, as his best pitch against Kepler… which makes no sense. Why are you just throwing it now… after 5-straight homeruns? Maybe that is an example of why Cleveland underachieved last season. I can’t imagine a Twins pitcher not having that information even before any homeruns.

Bauer blames himself, but I’d sure hope your analytics department is making you aware of something like that…

Anyway, Max Kepler is really good. I want Trevor Bauer in a Twins jersey. And, I want baseball back…

via GIPHY

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/trevor-bauer-dives-deep-on-max-kepler-taking-him-deep-five-consecutive-times-in-2019/feed/ 0 Thu, 02 Apr 2020 15:45:07 +0000 Minnesota Twins