March 24, 2023

Bauer in Japan

Trevor Bauer joined the Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars:

Bauer said his goal with the BayStars was to strike out 200 and keep his average fastball velocity at 96 mph — hence his uniform number. He said he is also working on a better change-up pitch.

He said he hoped to play by mid-April — about two weeks after the Japanese season begins — and said he has been training for the last 1 1/2 years.

“I’ve been doing a lot of strength training and throwing,” he said. “I didn’t really take any time off. So I’ve had a year and a half of development time. I’m stronger than ever. More powerful than ever.”

Yokohama has not won a title in 25 years, and Bauer said that was his goal in the one-year deal.

ESPN.com

The Bay Stars finished last in 2022. This is the type of MLB team that might have signed Bauer, a team that has not won a championship in years. Instead, a that type of team from a foreign league signed him.

Note that this gives Bauer a chance to rehabilitate himself. If he pitches well and keeps his nose clean, there might be a major league contract for him next year.

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