“Personally, I will never sign a contract longer than one year,” Bauer said. “That’s how I feel. I’m going to take one year. I’m going to take maximum annual average value contingent on the fact that I’m allowed to pitch every fourth day. And that’s my deal. It’ll be great for the team because there’s no risk. And assume it’s $42 million – $42.0 million – then if they’re not in the race, they’ll end up paying only two-thirds of it. And then they can trade me for prospects. Or if they’re in it, the contract’s worth it.”
The notion of seeking the highest AAV on a short-term deal is something agents for years have played out in their minds, only to advise their best clients to choose the security of a guaranteed long-term contract. Bauer’s priorities are different. His desire to win a World Series is a huge part of his one-year-deal calculus.
“I’m always on a contender, so I don’t get stuck in a contract with a non-contender,” Bauer said. “I’m either on a contender I sign with or get traded to one. This is contingent on me pitching well. But I spend so much time honoring my health and training, I have a lot of information that says I can handle the workload. All the risk in that situation is on the player’s side.”