The Reds have worked out a deal with right-hander Trevor Bauer, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter). He’ll pitch for $17.5MM in 2020 rather than going to a third-straight hearing.
The MLBTR/Matt Swartz model projected a beefier raise than the $4.5MM that Bauer will ultimately receive. But as Matt explained recently in a detailed breakdown of Bauer’s case, the model’s predicted $5.6MM raise (to a $18.6MM salary) felt a bit lofty when examining specific recent comps.
It’s an important number, not just for Bauer and the Reds. As the above-linked post explains, this sets a new reference point for pitchers of this type — i.e., those that have thrown a lot of innings and perhaps even produced a big strikeout tally in their platform year, but with uninspiring results in the earned-run department.
Bauer had secured big victories in hearings with the Indians in each of the prior two offseasons. But he saw eye to eye with his new organization, which picked him up in a surprising trade in the summer of 2019.
This time around, Bauer was carrying a somewhat less enticing statistical record. He racked up the innings (213) and strikeouts (253), but ended the 2019 season with only a 4.48 ERA as well as a losing record (which does factor for arbitration).
scarfish
Good thing his case isn’t going to drone on and on
dynamite drop in monty
Lol
jimthegoat
Zing
statman
Overpay for over-rated pitcher.
Les Chesterfield
Yeah 200+ innings and 250ks just scream over rated. If you were a fish; would u be a jelly fish ?
jdgoat
He’s reached both of those totals exactly once in his career, guy
earmbrister
Bauer needs to find a way to pitch deeper into games, and guru Derek Johnson should be able to help him with that. The Ks limit his innings pitched obviously, but he should push 200 IP more regularly.
iml12
I have to agree one freak phenomenal season and pretty much league average outside of 2018
DarkSide830
have fun with this mess Reds
stan lee the manly
Bring back Puig and the two can take turns melting down so one guy doesn’t have to carry the entire load. Load management at its finest.
fieldsj2
Unfortunately I think your right. I can definitely see GABP getting in his head. I hope I’m wrong!
Ahimsa
I pity the NLC.
julyn82001
Agreed. Most Regular American workers won’t ever come close to the money some of these athletes make. Unreal!
Badfinger
And no athletes will ever come close to the money the owners make.
dynamite drop in monty
Exactly
TheBoatmen
Cole may make more than the Pittsburgh and Tampa owners.
bleedpinstripes
Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter off the top of my head.
Old User Name
Most Regular Americans don’t have the skills these guys have.
sufferforsnakes
Many Americans contribute more to society than these guys.
Old User Name
Never underestimate the value of entertainment. There’s a reason there’s so much money available to these guys.
Robust Scouting
The guy will give you 30 starts. 180 Innings. 200Ks. In today’s game, that’s worth 17M. Doesn’t matter if he’s a goofball or not.
Ahimsa
I like the guy myself. Not afraid to think outside the box, Not a sheep that follows every one else.
DarkSide830
and he’ll probably also have an ERA near 5.00. yep, great value.
MoRivera 1999
Three times in the last 8 years did he hit north of 4.48.
MoRivera 1999
Or I should say, three times in the last eight years did he hit 4.48 or more…
dynamite drop in monty
Damn DarthSide is gonna have to eat his Rebel Alliance Pilot Helmet
earmbrister
Darkside, Bauer slots in as the #2 pitcher on any other team in the NL Central. We’ll gladly take him as our #3.
kingquackatac
Never will forget the day after he was traded to the Reds, showing up as a regular Joe w/wife to catch the Indians in Cleveland. Even went thru the turnstyle in a crowd of fans LOL. No other player…
3Men&ABibee
Glad he got paid. He was probably my favorite pitcher ever to come through Cleveland. He was always fun to listen to and hear him talk about baseball. I would like to see him win the Cy this year.
megaj
Ouch, this one is painful
snoopy369
I’m shocked it didn’t go to a third arbitration – I thought Buaer really preferred to go to hearings. I wonder if it ended up low because he came in lower than he could have – like, he came in at 18MM or something like that (or even $17.5MM and the Reds also went in at $17.5MM, making the arbitration case pointless)…
Sid8766
No, cases like Trevor Bauer who will make $17.5 million & had a losing record & 4.48 ERA is why these small market owners won’t pay that
MoRivera 1999
As a commenter above noted, he’ll give you “30 starts. 180 Innings. 200Ks.”
He’s had an ERA of 4.48 or higher three times in the last eight years.
wordonthestreet
Yea we know. You said it 3 times in these comments already
earmbrister
Mo4, including his age 21 and age 22 seasons, where he had for starts per year, is misleading. Bauer Had one year with an ERA of 4.55, and another year with an ERA of 4.48. Put more simply, he has a career ERA of 4.04, which is somewhat above average
Reggie Bars
What does having a losing record have to do with anything? That’s one of the most meaningless stats in baseball.
bobfromboyntonbeach
He was pitching injured a lot last year. If he is healthy he’s worth every penny,
Wish we had him back in Cleveland this year……