Julio Urías and Trevor Bauer have both faced significant claims, leading to suspensions under MLB’s domestic violence policy. On the surface, their situations would appear to be comparable, but the league’s approach reveals differently. Some believe that MLB’s sanctions policy is unfair, praising some players while highlighting others. With Urías’ most recent suspension, the argument has only gotten louder.
One pitcher’s career appears to be coming to an end while the other struggles to make a comeback. However, why? Their destinies have been drastically different due to league decisions, public opinion, and media coverage. Is this about reputation, justice, or something else entirely? After insider Dan Clark wrote about Trevor Bauer’s domestic abuse case on X, the story has once again gained attention. In order to illustrate the disparities in how MLB handled both situations, he contrasted Bauer’s dilemma with Julio Urías’.
Clark’s post read: Trevor Bauer, “‘First breach of MLB DV policy’, ‘Not arrested’, ‘Not charged’, ‘Not convicted’, ‘Suspended two seasons’, ‘Seemingly blacklisted”. On the contrary, for Julio Urias, he said, “‘Second breach of MLB DV policy’, ‘Arrested’, ‘Charged’, ‘Pled no contest’, ‘Suspended half a season.” He was obviously drawing attention to MLB’s uneven treatment of the players. But it’s important to examine how the events transpired before getting into that argument. Fans were chatting about the post; why did Bauer receive a two-season suspension while a repeated offender like Urías only gets half a season?
Urías has been in hot water before. The Dodgers star was arrested for domestic violence back in 2019. He allegedly assaulted a woman in a parking lot. Despite the charges being withdrawn, the MLB nonetheless suspended him for 20 games. That ought to have served as a warning. The year is September 2023. In another instance, witnesses claim to have witnessed Urías abuse a lady outside the stadium when he was at a soccer game in Los Angeles. The police were called. He was taken into custody this time and accused of felony domestic abuse.
As the inquiry progressed, MLB placed him on administrative leave. He entered a not-guilty plea to a minor case many months later. In response, MLB suspended him during the 2025 All-Star break. Bauer’s circumstances were very different; he faced allegations in 2021, everything was refuted by Bauer. Following an extended legal conflict, the judge decided in his favor: No arrest. No charges. No conviction.
𝗧𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝘂𝗲𝗿
First breach of MLB DV policy
Not arrested
Not charged
Not convicted
Suspended two seasons
Seemingly backlisted
𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗨𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘀
Second breach of MLB DV policy
Arrested
Charged (domestic battery)
Pled no contest
Suspended half a season
— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) March 21, 2025
MLB did not care about that. He received the longest ban ever under the league’s domestic violence policy, 324 games. After Bauer filed an appeal, it was lowered to 194 games by an arbitrator. It was too late by then. No other Major League Baseball team signed him after the Dodgers dropped him. His career in the league was over.
How fans are reacting against Rob Manfred
MLB’s handling of Trevor Bauer’s case has sparked outrage. Some think Rob Manfred wanted him to conform and stay silent. “They want Trevor to fall in line and be quiet on the mound and blah blah. F**k Manfred”. But the facts do not add up. MLB handed Bauer a two-season suspension—the longest in league history for a domestic violence case—despite him never being arrested or charged.
This has guided to deeper issues related to MLB Commissioner leadership. Some think he prioritizes MLB’s image over fairness. “Manfred is a lawyer. A crooked lawyer. And the worst commissioner in sports, too”. His past decisions reinforce this perception. When the Houston Astros were caught cheating in 2017, Manfred handed out light penalties, calling the World Series trophy a “piece of metal”. Many feel he safeguards MLB’s business interests rather than enforcing consistent discipline.
The belief that Bauer is being blacklisted goes beyond just his case. Some think Rob Manfred has ensured he stays out of the league. “As long as Manfred is in charge, TB won’t be in the MLB“. Bauer has been openly critical of MLB and Manfred long before his suspension. In 2020, he called Manfred’s proposed playoff changes “a joke” and criticized his handling of the COVID-shortened season. He also mocked MLB’s crackdown on sticky substances, wearing cleats that said “Free Joe Kelly” to protest unfair suspensions. His outspoken nature likely made him a target, making fans question whether his banishment is more about his criticism of Manfred than the allegations against him.
The contrast becomes even clearer when compared to Julio Urías. “Urías never criticized MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred“. Unlike Bauer, Urías has never publicly called out Manfred or MLB policies. Yet, despite his second domestic violence arrest and charges, he received a far lighter punishment. This raises speculation that MLB targeted Bauer harshly due to his outspoken behavior rather than solely enforcing its domestic violence policy.
Manfred’s history of controversial decisions has led many to question his leadership. “MLB commissioner is the biggest joke in sports. He is just a disgrace“. His handling of scandals backs up these claims. In the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, he granted players immunity instead of issuing real punishments. Meanwhile, Bauer—who was never arrested, charged, or convicted—received an unprecedented suspension. The inconsistency frustrates fans, who see a pattern of selective enforcement.
This leads to another major concern—whether Manfred is influencing teams to keep Bauer out of the league. “What I also think is Manfred is putting a bug in every team’s ear saying don’t sign Bauer.” While there’s no official proof, the evidence is hard to ignore. After Bauer’s suspension was reduced, making him eligible to play, not a single MLB team expressed interest. Even teams struggling with pitching depth passed on him. Meanwhile, players with worse allegations, like Aroldis Chapman and Marcell Ozuna, were given second chances. The complete silence from all 30 teams raises serious questions about whether MLB is quietly steering teams away from Bauer.
It’s more than simply punishment. It’s about equity. Why is the handling of these instances so drastically different if MLB is serious about its domestic violence policy? Fans have the same question. What led to Bauer receiving the most severe ban in league history? Why does Urías, who has committed crimes before, still have a chance to play in the league? MLB has not responded yet. This argument will continue until they do. How do you feel? Leave a comment with your opinions..
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