Dodgers News: Trevor Bauer wants to play in Los Angeles someday

Free-agent-to-be Trevor Bauer expressed a desire to play in Los Angeles someday.

Cincinnati Reds starter Trevor Bauer is never shy with words, and during a recent FaceTime video with fans, the right-hander made it clear how he feels about possibly playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers someday.

"“I look forward to playing for the Dodgers one day,” Bauer told a fan on his Fan Fridays YouTube show. “I grew up out in Valencia, so I’d love to come home.”"

A North Hollywood native, Bauer attended Hart High School in Santa Clarita, California. He then pitched for the UCLA Bruins, helping them record their best record (51-17) in school history in 2010.

The 29-year-old is signed through the 2020 season. He is expected to be one of the most sought after starting pitchers in a relatively weak free agent market next winter.

Trevor Bauer hopes to return to 2018 form this season.

A friend to occasional controversy, Bauer was traded by the Cleveland Indians a few days after launching a baseball over the outfield wall in frustration during a late July start. Upon arriving in Cincinnati, he struggled against National League competition, pitching to a 2-5 record over 10 starts with an ugly 6.39 ERA.

If baseball returns this season, it will be an important campaign for Bauer as he tries to prove he is closer to the 2018 pitcher who was one of the best starters in the American League than the disappointing version he showed last season with the Reds.

The Dodgers currently have mainstay Clayton Kershaw signed through the 2021 season, with recently-acquired left-hander David Price on the books until 2022. Walker Buehler is still under team-control. However, there could be room to add another starter if Alex Wood’s one-year “prove it” deal doesn’t translate into a long-term commitment, or if the Dodgers are looking for an upgrade over depth options such as Julio Urias or Ross Stripling.

Of course, Los Angeles also has Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin ready to crack the rotation on a full-time basis, perhaps in 2021. So it will be interesting to see how they approach the next free agency period. Their number one goal will be to lock up superstar Mookie Betts.