MLB Weekly Digest February 8th Edition: Dodgers Sign Trevor Bauer

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The last week in MLB was about a team in the National League strengthening their starting rotation. A club in the American League signs a designated hitter, and an outfielder signs a multi-year contract.

Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Starting Pitcher Trevor Bauer to Three-Year Contract

The Los Angeles Dodgers have improved their starting rotation by signing starting pitcher Trevor Bauer to a three-year contract.

Bauer is scheduled to make $102 million over the three years.

Bauer’s deal is front-loaded as he will make $40 million in 2021 and $45 million in 2022, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Trevor Bauer's three-year deal with the Dodgers is for $102 million guaranteed — and for $40 million in 2021 and $45 million in 2022. He can opt out after each year, meaning he'll make $40M if he opts out this year, $85M if he does so after 2022 and $102M if he stays all three.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 5, 2021

Bauer has two opt-outs in the contract, which can be exercised after the 2021 season and concluding the 2022 MLB campaign.

He will make $40 million if he opts out after this year and $85 million if he opts out after 2022.

The New York Mets made a strong push to sign Bauer.

They offered him a three-year contract that was worth about $110 million.

The Mets contract included opt-outs after the first and second year; the total in each year was about $40 million, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Bauer spent last season with the Cincinnati Reds and was dominant on the mound.

He posted a 1.73 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 100 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched and won the National League Cy Young award.

He joins an already loaded Dodgers’ starting rotation with Clayton Kershaw, David Price, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urias.

The club also has Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin as options in the rotation.

The Dodgers are paying a premium for Bauer but it will be worth it if he helps them win a consecutive World Series title.

2020 total payrolls:

Orioles: $23.5 Million
Pirates: $25.3 Million
Rays: $28.3 Million
Marlins: $31.6 Million
Royals: $34.8 Million
Athletics: $36.7 Million
Indians: $39.3 Million

Trevor Bauer salary in 2021: $40 Million pic.twitter.com/4ccAG5x8d1

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) February 5, 2021

Atlanta Braves Re-Sign Marcell Ozuna to Four-Year Pact

The Atlanta Braves have re-signed Marcell Ozuna to a four-year, $65-million contract that includes a team option in 2025, per a team announcement.

#Braves Sign OF Marcell Ozuna: pic.twitter.com/z1j5jbCAdG

— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) February 6, 2021

The option is worth $16 million with a $1-million buyout.

Ozuna signed a one-year deal with the Braves last year, and it worked out exceptionally well.

He provided a source of power in their lineup and was a great hitter in the National League.

The @Braves are keeping their slugger. pic.twitter.com/XbHa8VmAfC

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) February 6, 2021

Ozuna compiled a .338 batting average and 1.067 OPS in 60 games with 38 runs scored, 77 hits, 14 doubles, and led the NL with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs.

He was primarily the Braves’ designated hitter last year but will probably be in left field starting the 2021 season due to his defense declining over the past several years.

The Braves re-signing Ozuna was a great move as he makes their lineup deeper and dangerous.

Minnesota Twins Sign Designated Hitter Nelson Cruz to One-Year Deal

The Minnesota Twins have signed designated hitter Nelson Cruz to a one-year, $13-million contract, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic.

Sources: Nelson Cruz signs one-year deal with the #MNTwins is worth $13 million.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) February 3, 2021

Cruz has been a vital part of the Twins’ lineup since he joined the MLB team in 2019.

He has posted a. 308 batting average and 1.020 OPS with 57 home runs and 141 RBIs in two years with the Twins.

He was selected as the DH of the Year in 2019.

The Twins’ lineup has vastly improved since Cruz joined their team, and it’s great they were able to reach an agreement on a contract.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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