Trevor Bauer is 35 years old. His pathway back to MLB is essentially nonexistent. But, we have to talk about him, as he’s a former Cy Young award winner. Bauer’s career has gone off the rails thanks entirely to his own doing, and allegations against him. Bauer has been accused of sexual assault, and hasn’t played in MLB since the 2021 season. In 2022, MLB suspended him for violating its joint domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

There is some symbolism in all of this. Bauer has pitched in Japan and Mexico since he last took the bump for the Dodgers, but this will be the first time he’s thrown in the United States since 2021. That’s meaningful enough, even though it’s unlikely to lead to a big-league deal for a 35-year-old likely past his prime. For the Ducks, it’s a cash grab, and for Bauer, probably his last chance.

Why the Long Island Ducks signed Trevor Bauer

The Ducks once employed John Rocker, infamous for using homophobic and xenophobic slurs targeting New Yorkers. Yet, in Long Island, Rocker could find a job. That shouldn’t come as a major surprise since money talks, and Atlantic League teams are short cash. Back when Rocker was pitching (2005), his outings were among the most-attended. Rocker even got into an incident with fans on the road that season.

It’s been a long time since 2005. The Atlantic League is little more than an MLB afterthought at this point, with its association being in the form of a guinea pig the league can test new rules in: think larger bases, ABS and the like.

For the Ducks, the Bauer signing is in the same vain. The team has already announced a promotion involving him this season.

“We are excited to welcome Trevor to Long Island,” said Ducks President/CBO Michael Pfaff in a statement. “His talent and knowledge will be important additions to our ballclub, and we are happy to offer him this opportunity to showcase his talents to MLB clubs while giving fans unprecedented access to Ducks baseball.”

Per the Ducks, Bauer will be mic’d up for all games, which will help create content for the team.

Does Trevor Bauer have a road back to MLB?

The Atlantic League has featured talented MLB players like Rich Hill, Dontrelle Willis, Daniel Murphy and Eric Gagné. Some of those players have managed to play in the big leagues after the fact.

But again, Bauer is 35 years old. He won the Mexican Baseball League’s pitcher of the year award last season, but there’s very little pipeline to MLB from there. His outings with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars were a far better indication on just how successful of a pitcher he can be at this stage. In NPB, Bauer went 4-10 with a 4.41 ERA in 133.2 innings and 21 games. That’s in stark comparison from most former MLB pitchers who play in NPB.

If Bauer can perform to a higher standard in the Atlantic League, which features former MLB players in it alongside prospects hoping to make a name for themselves, then perhaps he has some hope yet.

“I’m looking forward to competing in front of U.S. fans again this season,” Bauer said in a statement. “The Ducks have had some incredible players come through their organization, and I’m excited to be part of that tradition.”

The odds remain slim, as they should be. The allegations Bauer faced – while unfounded so far in a court of law – were heinous. He was suspended 194 games by MLB after an intensive investigation. That’s not easy to come back from.

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