Breaking news: The Yankees Make Their Final Decision About the Controversial Former Report on the Cy Young Winner
The traditional outside choices to replace injured top starter Gerrit Cole are not the New York Yankees’ first choice. So, would the Yankees be able to think creatively and provide a novel option? Former Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer is one candidate who could be eligible.
However, according to Bob Klapisch of NJ.com, the Yankees are also not interested in taking that path.
Klapisch added, “My sources say Bauer’s not coming to the Bronx.”
In addition to the Yankees’ lack of interest, I was informed that Bauer’s name hasn’t even been mentioned since Cole was found to have had a torn UCL. Even for a squad in dire need of an ace, the answer is that Bauer comes too much baggage.
In 2021, Bauer signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, because to claims of sexual assault, the MLB placed the right-hander on administrative leave on July 2, 2021.
Bauer didn’t leave until April 29, 2022, for administrative reasons. Then, for breaking the MLB’s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Policy, Bauer was suspended for 324 games, or two seasons, without pay.
Bauer hasn’t thrown in Major League Baseball since 2021, despite an arbitrator reducing his punishment to 194 games.
Bauer has pitched in Mexico and Japan in the last two years.
Is Trevor Bauer a potential replacement for Gerrit Cole for the Yankees?
Bauer’s name keeps coming up when major league teams need assistance with their starting rotation, despite the fact that he hasn’t thrown in almost four years.
When his MLB career was abruptly ended by off-field accusations, Bauer was among the league’s top pitchers. With a 5-4 record, 1.73 ERA, 0.795 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts in 73 innings, he earned the National League Cy Young Award during the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
Bauer topped the NL in ERA, WHIP, and ERA+ in 2020.
Bauer was a member of the Cleveland Indians’ All-Star squad in 2018. During that season, he recorded a 12-6 record with a 2.21 ERA and a league-high 2.44 FIP.
Bauer had a 3.79 ERA and an 83-69 record across ten MLB seasons. Pitching outside of the United States has also kept the right-hander sharp. Last year, Bauer made 14 starts in the Mexican League and finished 10-0 with a 2.48 ERA, 1.044 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts in 83.1 innings.
However, no Major League Baseball organization has even been open to taking a chance on him.
“He won’t be touched,” Klapisch wrote.
It’s obvious that [Rob] Manfred wants Bauer to leave the game. No MLB owner has been prepared to oppose the commissioner, despite the fact that the former Cy Young Award winner has been compelled to pitch in Mexico and Japan, where he is dominant.
The Yankees are among those who don’t want the headache.
Who Will Take Cole’s Place?
Before the regular season started, Bauer was perhaps the Yankees’ last external starting pitching option. Brian Cashman, the general manager of New York, has already hinted that the franchise dislikes other possible outside signings.
Cole has previously had successful Tommy John surgery to repair his right UCL, and the Yankees are attempting to replace him.
Ideally, Cole will return to the mound in April 2026.
The Yankees may use Allan Winans, Carlos Carrasco, or Will Warren as their fifth starter until then. Cole will be replaced at the top of the rotation by Max Fried, a free agency signing for the squad.
When the MLB trade deadline approaches, the Yankees may once more look into starting pitcher trade possibilities if they are still in the running for the World Series.
