The Ain’t No Fang Podcast: Should the D-backs bring back Trevor Bauer?

There is no doubt that Trevor Bauer has been at the center of controversy since he was suspended in April of 2022 for violating MLB’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy.

He was originally suspended for 324 games but since has had that number reduced down to 194.

The Los Angeles Dodgers released Bauer earlier this week, and in turn, will have to pay him $22 million dollars to not pitch for their team.

Now, any ballclub is able to sign Bauer for the league minimum of $720,000.

Bauer, who won the NL Cy Young Award with the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, would be a cheap signing and is still a good hurler, despite not having thrown a pitch on a major league mound since June 28, 2021.

The question is: who will be willing to take the massive PR hit that would come with signing him?

As for teams that some familiarity with the pitcher, the Arizona Diamondbacks are on that list. Bauer registered one season with the team in 2012 before being traded the following offseason to the then-Cleveland Indians.

He pitched in four games and went 1-2 over as a D-back with a 6.06 ERA and 1.653 WHIP.

Steve Zinsmeister and Cody Fincher of The Ain’t No Fang, an Arizona Sports podcast, discuss whether or not the Diamondbacks should reunite with Trevor Bauer.