Free agent Trevor Bauer rejects Cincinnati Reds' qualifying offer

Trevor Bauer of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates after the final out of sixth inning during Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, September 30, 2020. /CFP

Trevor Bauer, the right-hander free agent of the Cincinnati Reds, turned down a one-year, $18.9-million qualifying offer by the team, Bauer's agent Rachel Luba said on Twitter.

Bauer was traded to the Reds by the Cleveland Indians in 2019 but he struggled in the following couple of months. During 56.1 innings (10 starts), Bauer had a disappointing ERA (earned run average) of 6.39.

Fortunately, the 29-year-old managed to find his game back in the 2020 season, leading the National League in both ERA (1.73) and WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) (0.79). He also had two shutouts – the most in the major league – and allowed only 5.1 per nine innings – the fewest in the major league.

Trevor Bauer of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, September 30, 2020. /CFP

The incredible performance made Bauer a finalist for this season's NL Cy Young Award, the top honor for pitchers of the league.

In fact, Bauer was a top pitcher for most of the past three seasons. In 2018 when he was in the Cleveland Indians, he recorded 221 strikeouts in 175.1 innings with an ERA of only 2.21. He was also considered for the Cy Young Award that year but injury cost him the opportunity at the end of the season.

This partly explains why Bauer rejected the $18.9-million-U.S qualifying offer. He made $17.5 million in 2020.

Trevor Bauer of the Cleveland Indians pitches in the game against the Kansas City Royals, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, July 28, 2019. /CFP

Bauer turning down the offer will cost the team both draft picks and league-allotted international bonus pool. For instance, the New York Yankees, which pay a luxury tax, would have to surrender their second- and fifth-highest selections plus $1 million of international bonus. As for teams that do not pay taxes or take revenue-sharing, the price of signing Bauer will be their second-highest pick and $500,000 of international bonus.

The Reds, which are both hopeful and interested in bringing Bauer back, should be able to benefit if he signs with another team. Though the player has been well-known for preferring short deals for years, this time he and his agent were reportedly willing to change their mind.

If Bauer's new contract contains guaranteed sums larger than $50 million – which should not be a problem if he signs a multi-year deal – the Reds will get a compensatory pick after the first round in the 2021 MLB Draft. However, a short contract will turn that pick into one between Competitive Balance Round B and Round 3. It will roughly be a 45-spot difference on the table, which can be a big deal.