when the dodgers released him is he still on their books for his salary,
The Dodgers suspended Bauer for 2 Full Years (extending into the 2023 Season) and tried to weasel out of $67 Million
Baseball liked the idea of the Dodgers not being strapped to the Contract.
The Dodgers didn't bother to comment.
In the Winter of 2022, an arbitrator ruled they couldn't do that and a compromise was reached.
Bauer was screwed out of
$37 MILLION (vs $67M). The Dodgers used that money to sign Ohtani and others.
And Baseball liked it, just fine. Anything to allow the Dodgers the opportunity to sign the Golden Goose.
Bauer had his suspension reduced from 324 games to 194 games and became immediately available.
Had the suspension not been lifted, Bauer would not have been allowed to play in Japan, since they honor MLB Suspensions, over there.
Yohohama paid Bauer $3M.
The Dodgers are on the hook for $22M, this year - The final year of his Contract.
Bauer has already stated that he would be willing to sign with anybody for Minimum Wage.
Which would save the Dodgers $750K
Bauer would then become a Free Agent in 2025.