Mookie Betts, the standout player for the Dodgers, made a notable appearance at Chase Field for Game 3 of the World Series. He was seen spending time around the batting cage with Arizona Diamondbacks’ rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll and also engaged with reporters before the game.
During a discussion with Bill Shaikin from the Los Angeles Times, Betts was asked about his thoughts on his former teammate, Trevor Bauer. In response, Betts had words of praise for Bauer and expressed his hope that MLB teams would consider signing him during the upcoming offseason. Betts stated, “My experience with Bauer is not anything remotely close to what everyone else’s experience is. I love him. I think he’s an awesome guy. The personal things? I have no control. I have no say. Obviously, nothing ever came from it.”
Much respect, @mookiebetts 🙏🏻 https://t.co/tYIdEM9nWe pic.twitter.com/8t94DMixRJ
— Rachel Luba (レイチェル・ルーバ) (@AgentRachelLuba) October 31, 2023
Betts continued by highlighting Bauer’s talent as a pitcher and his dedication to taking the mound every fifth day. However, he acknowledged that the ultimate decision on Bauer’s future rests with others and is a complex matter that goes beyond just baseball. Bauer’s release by the Dodgers in January came after he served a 194-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy following allegations of sexual assault. Bauer has consistently denied the accusations and recently settled a dispute with the accuser.
During the 2023 season, Bauer pitched in Japan for the Yokohama DeNa BayStars, where he performed well as one of the league’s top starting pitchers when he was healthy. After his stint in the Japanese professional league, Bauer has expressed his desire to return to the United States for the 2024 season.
Betts’ comments are noteworthy, considering the Dodgers’ tendency to avoid controversy and the fact that they have often been at the center of such controversies. Last winter, as Bauer’s suspension was reduced to 194 games, there were conflicting reports about his standing in the Dodger clubhouse. Publicly, the team and its players mostly remained silent on the situation, making Betts the first Dodger player to openly discuss Bauer since the team released him. While the organization issued a statement at the time, not much else was publicly disclosed. The team refuted claims of being open to welcoming Bauer back, and the two parties went their separate ways.
Bauer had made 17 starts for the Dodgers after signing a three-year deal in February 2021. During his time with the team, he posted an 8-5 record with a 2.59 ERA over 107.2 innings.
