Trevor Bauer sat in front of his camera and stated that he is second only to Shohei Ohtani, not for an All-Star spot and Cy Young, but, for daily views. He claimed that he outdraws every MLB team on streaming platforms. To some, it might just be another of his infamous remarks while to others, it might have been a reminder of the classic Trevor.

It has been more than two years since the controversial pitcher last wore an MLB jersey. Trevor’s career has not faded into obscurity. Instead, it has taken unexpected moves, which have kept Bauer in the spotlight. Playing in Japan and Mexico, Bauer has identified new ways to stay relevant. The question now is not just how much attention he can draw but it really means for his future. Can this be a sign of his comeback? Or is his exile solidifying his place outside MLB?

Trevor Bauer: From forced exile to global sensation

Before Trevor Bauer’s career got derailed, he was a dominant player. In 2020, he won the NL Cy Young Award after posting a 1.73 ERA with 100 strikeouts over 73 innings for the Cincinnati Reds. His power earned him a massive three-year, $102 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then came the legal battles, leading to a record 324-game suspension from MLB. However, an arbitrator later ended the suspension, ruling that there were no grounds for such a lengthy ban. Despite this, no MLB team dealt Bauer. But if we can refer to Dan Clark “Trevor Bauer is one of the most popular pitchers in the world today, if not, the most popular. He is loved in Japan, Mexico and still has a foot in America.”

Well, Bauer is still one of baseball’s biggest names. He ruled in Japan, finishing the 2023 season with a 2.76 ERA and 130 strikeouts over 130.2 innings. In Mexico, he made headlines by establishing a league record with 19 strikeouts in a single game. Not just that; Trevor Bauer’s effects spread far beyond the mound.

His YouTube channel has skyrocketed in popularity, surpassing 928K subscribers. It draws more daily viewers than any MLB team. “Second, behind Shohei,” he said when asked about his reach. “I do not think anyone in America understands how big of a global superstar he is. I beat everyone else though, outdrawing every single MLB team in daily views just on my YouTube channel alone. That contains their streaming and TV numbers, by the way,” shared Bauer.

Unmatched talent, unmatched controversy

So, Trevor Bauer has his own fan army. Well, Bauer’s whole situation stands out in the MLB where multiple players have faced off-field controversies but still managed to return to the field. In 2022, his suspension was decreased against sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence, the Dodgers released him in 2023. No MLB team has talked to him since. In comparison, Aroldis Chapman and Domingo Germán served their suspensions for domestic violence accusations and returned to MLB. Even Roberto Osuna, suspended for similar reasons, was signed by the Astros just after the termination ended. Then why not Trevor Bauer?

Bauer’s reputation does not help his situation. Over the years, he has made multiple controversial remarks and became a misfit. In 2012, he said, “I am ashamed that he is commander in chief of this great nation” related to then-President Barack Obama. Such comments continued throughout his career. For instance, “The better I am, the better the team is, so you have to want me to be selfish about how good I am.” It was not taken well by teammates.

In terms of relationships, too, he shared, “I have three rules. One: no feelings. As soon as I sense you’re developing feelings, I’m going to cut it off, because I’m not interested in a relationship and I’m emotionally unavailable. Two: no social media posts about me while we’re together, because private life stays private.” And well, the third one was him getting intimate with other people and his date needs to be okay with that! Of course, this sparked a backlash.

Trevor Bauer’s comments related to “competitive integrity” were equally controversial when he said, “Hard to hear them talk about competitive integrity when they have no integrity to begin with.” So, his off-field controversies have left a stain on his reputation. However, his on-field capabilities remain undeniable.

He is still ruling baseball outside of MLB and his YouTube channel highlights his loyal fan base. So, any team that brings him in would undoubtedly tap into that zone, potentially enhancing its popularity. The real question, though, is whether any team is ready to sign him.

Do you think Trevor Bauer will be back in MLB this time?