Trevor Bauer Sparks Houston Astros Signing Rumors

Trevor Bauer has been open about his interest in returning to Major League Baseball for the first time since pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021.

Bauer pitched in Japan and this season he played with the Diablos Rojos de Mexico in Mexico City. But the ultimate goal is to sign with an MLB team after never being charged with a crime after multiple investigations.

READ: Trevor Bauer calls for similar treatment from MLB after Shohei Ohtani betting announcement: ‘What about my case?

And a new Instagram Story from the 33-year-old pitcher sparks rumors he could be closer than ever to a return home. Bauer posted himself picking up a Houston Astros hat at a retail store in his story, walking past other teams to choose the Astros.

Could Bauer join Justin Verlander in Houston?

LOS ANGELES – Trevor Bauer of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws out the first pitch of the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium on June 28, 2021. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

Trevor Bauer would be a good fit for Houston

The Astros are in desperate need of pitching, stumbling to a 29-35 start and third place in the American League West. Starters Christian Javier and Jose Urquidy are both coming off Tommy John surgery, and while Verlander and Framber Valdez are still well above average, the Astros have little depth to rely on.

Bauer was excellent in his final MLB season in 2021 with the Dodgers, striking out nearly 11.5 batters per nine innings with a 2.59 ERA. During the lockdown-shortened 2020 season, he won the Cy Young Award with the Cincinnati Reds.

At 33, he is still in his prime. And as a victim of fraud himself, and someone who has never been accused of anything, he has a strong case that he deserves another chance in the league. Whether the Astros, or anyone else, are brave enough to give it to him is another story.