Trevor Bauer made very interesting choice with ‘Baseball’s Back’ tweet

PICTURED AS THE COVER IMAGE: Trevor Bauer in a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey, potentially something we’ll never see in live game action ever again?

Bauer, whose possible MLB suspension is still up for debate after the criminal charges he was facing were dismissed, might agree with you, based on his “Welcome Back to Baseball” tweet on Thursday night.

Way back in 2021, reports of discord between Bauer and his Dodgers teammates emerged and led to a reported mass unfollowing on Instagram. The bizarreness of his departure from the team — where he went from “probable starter” (in Dave Roberts’ eyes) to exiled was well-covered.

For most of the offseason, it seemed as if his place in the game of baseball — as well as any considerations of his Dodgers future — was moot, as a court of law worked out how much he might be able to contribute.

Now, though? It’s a genuinely sticky situation for a Dodgers team that might not get that money back after all. Bauer further added to the confusion Thursday, by welcoming baseball back in a Cincinnati Reds jersey.

Dodgers RHP Trevor Bauer posted himself in a Cincinnati Reds jersey

Bauer’s 2020 season with the Reds was, of course, his crown jewel; he won the Cy Young with a 1.73 ERA, parlaying it into a tremendously high AAV payday in Los Angeles.

Remember, this all could’ve been Steve Cohen’s problem if a comma had been laid differently. Something to think about.

Bauer started off 2021 performing up to expectations, and even brought the Dodgers-Padres rivalry to new heights with his trolling of Fernando Tatis Jr. Weeks later, his season was beyond derailed by the criminal investigations of his own actions, which landed him on paid administrative leave for the remainder of the campaign, regular and postseason.

Most assumed the Dodgers would find some way out of the partnership organically, but now, it seems there could actually be a battle (of some sort) over where the pitcher will play out the remainder of his contract.

For what it’s worth, Bauer quibbled with longtime Los Angeles reporter Bill Plaschke on Thursday, requesting his firing after the scribe suggested cutting the right-hander. Perhaps he isn’t as “out” on LA as his Reds photo choice would suggest.

Though he’s been an abstraction for nearly nine months now, Bauer is now a reality for the Dodgers, and his situation must be settled (pending MLB intervention) prior to Opening Day.

Perhaps the Reds would like to run things back?

3 Dodgers who don’t deserve another season in 2022

These three Los Angeles Dodgers have not earned another season in Hollywood on the 26-man roster in 2022 (whenever the MLB season comes back).