Baseball Has a Domestic Violence Problem

The recent allegations against Trevor Bauer just continue to perpetuate a problem Rob Manfred and MLB owners are already aware of: baseball has a domestic violence problem. The claims against Bauer are disturbing, making many hope he never steps foot on a baseball diamond again. But, unfortunately, with the current Uniform Player Contract (UPC), that is unlikely to happen, and the Dodgers will likely have a decision to make.

Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, will have to start Trevor Bauer should the Dodgers keep him following the investigation. (Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press)

Under the current UPC, the only way an MLB team can terminate a contract is if a player shall “fail, refuse or neglect to conform his personal conduct to the standards of good citizenship and good sportsmanship or to keep himself in first-class physical condition or to obey the club’s training rules.” It also allows a team to terminate a deal if a player shall “fail, refuse or neglect to render his services hereunder or in any manner materially breach this contract.” 

This is a tricky area for teams to navigate. As explained by Ken Rosenthal, teams face challenges if they wish to move on from players enveloped in domestic abuse situations. With MLB’s current domestic abuse policy, the only way teams can actively void their contract with a player is if the player serves time in jail or if he pleads guilty. If the player does neither, then the team will pay for their guaranteed contract, nor try to find a fitting team to swallow that money.

Since the start of the domestic violence policy, only two of the 13 accused players have been sentenced for their crimes. Amongst the other 11 players that served time is Aroldis Chapman, who, after serving the 30 game suspension, played in the World Series and was then awarded with a hefty contract. 

Is this the policy baseball wants to move forward with? 

Currently, MLB has a harsher penalty for players that use performance-enhancing drugs than those that violate the domestic violence policy. A player that violates the domestic violence policy can serve their time, and play in the postseason; a player that uses performance-enhancing drugs is ineligible for the postseason, even if they serve their full time during the regular season. This is a victory for baseball purists and a loss for everyone else.

As a lifelong baseball fan, I wonder, how does this help “grow” the game? It instead feels like a disservice to me and other women interested in baseball. Right now, we have stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Shohei Ohtani and Francisco Lindor, all doing noble things and putting a positive stamp on the game. They are helping expand people’s interest in the game, something Rob Manfred so desperately needs. And yet, Trevor Bauer’s actions continue to be a stain on the sport. It is one step forward and three steps back.

Trevor Bauer and his representatives continue to refute these allegations, so it is unlikely he will be pleading guilty. That leaves the smaller chance of him serving time as the only option for the Dodgers to not have to pay him. Again, doubtful. It is pretty apparent he will likely serve no time for his alleged criminal acts, and while Rob Manfred continues to extend Bauer’s administrative leave, it is only a matter of time before it runs out. 

And then what? 

Rob Manfred needs to think and focus on bigger issues rather than the pace of play in the next CBA. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Dodgers players are already distancing themselves from Bauer, and the Dodgers have removed promotional items of Bauer. This suggests that maybe the Dodgers are ready to part ways, or that there is more to the investigation than has been told to the public. Either way, MLB and the Dodgers have a decision to make. 

While the Dodgers are a multibillion-dollar franchise, it will not sit well with fans if, after the investigation, the Dodgers release Bauer, and pay him his owed money. What message does this send to domestic violence survivors? 

The New York Mets currently do not have to pay Robinson Cano who is currently serving a year-long suspension for violating the MLB drug policy. While Cano cheated the sport, it is hard to stomach the fact that he does not get paid, while Trevor Bauer, and others accused of heinous acts, do. 

This is not how you grow the game. This is how you continue to separate and devalue fans. 

MLB was exhilarated to post the hiring of Kim Ng, and the promotion of Alyssa Nakken. As they should be, it was a groundbreaking moment in sports. But now, MLB must continue to build upon these achievements. With a new CBA to come after the conclusion of the 2021 season, the MLB should put the domestic violence policy at the forefront of their concerns because this will ensure the sport can continue to grow.

Failure to do so will only further ostracize fans.