Reasons why Trevor Bauer will never become an Atlanta Braves

Trevor Bauer has been a popular topic among Braves fans since Spencer Strider went on the DL with a UCL issue.

Should the Braves sign the 2020 NL Cy Young, who was last seen leading the Dodgers rotation to a 2.59 ERA over 17 starts before receiving the longest suspension in MLB history?

From a baseball standpoint, the conversation has some substance. I am confident Bauer can mitigate the sting of losing probably the finest pitcher in baseball, which only a few pitchers on the planet can say given how important Strider is to the Braves. He was recently spotted hurling exhibition games for a variety of clubs, and his fastball sat in the high 90s and touched 99 mph, much as it did when he was destroying opposition lineups.

Who doesn’t want a guy like that on their team? Apparently everyone.

Bauer has been restored by the league and is free to sign with anybody he chooses. He’s even stated that he’s willing to play for the league minimum. All he wants is another chance to pitch in the majors.

Now, I don’t want to delve into the specifics of the Bauer case because, honestly, anyone who claims to have all of the facts is probably lying, and speculating on such matters is silly. But, I will add that sportsmen have done a lot of bad things in the world of sports, including baseball, and have had no trouble returning to the league. The individuals who have all of the information — the league teams — have showed no interest in signing him. There is a cause for that, and he was given the longest suspension in MLB history, whether you believe it or not.

Second, the Braves have always been a pure organization that values teamwork. Alex Anothopoulos has repeatedly stated that how players fit into the clubhouse is equally crucial as their talent. If a person he trusts offers a player a negative review, he will not acquire him. Bauer has had more public feuds with players, coaches, and organizations than Tiger Woods has with mistresses. Which leads us to Marcell Ozuna.

Many people want to point out that the Braves still have Ozuna on their roster despite his off-the-field issues, but the situation could not be more different. Had those occurrences transpired before signing a four-year, $64 million contract with the club, he would not have made the squad. The Braves owed him $50 million whatever, which certainly played a significant impact. They owe Bauer nothing.

However, more importantly, Ozuna is one of the most popular players in the entire clubhouse. Remember what I said about team chemistry? The Braves chose to continue with him primarily because of the positive feedback he received from teammates. If not for that, he may have died years ago.

You can beg, cry, and plead for the Braves to sign Trevor Bauer, but you’re wasting your time. His reputation precedes him as a teammate; that alone makes him a no-go in Atlanta. The off-the-field issues are just the icing on the cake.