Bauer is a 32-year-old free agent who hasn't pitched in MLB since the first half of the 2021 season. He missed the rest of that season while on administrative leave while the league investigated an alleged violation of its domestic violence policy, an investigation which eventually led to a record-long 324-game suspension. The ban was later reduced to 194 games. He spent 2023 with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan, where he recorded a 2.76 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 19 starts. Bauer's agents were at the Winter Meetings trying to sell teams on their client, but it's unclear if there's any interest among MLB clubs. Read Past Outlooks