Could Trevor Bauer be a fantasy baseball sleeper if he returns to MLB?

Trevor Bauer's potential return to Major League Baseball has recently become the talk of the town, particularly for fantasy baseball diehard fans. Bauer was banned since mid-2021 due to finding new evidence in his series of legal battles, but great performances in foreign countries, combined with a stunning legal win he recently earned, opened up the discussion of him being a fantasy sleeper again.

Trevor Bauer's recent performances showcase his enduring talent

Even away from MLB, Bauer has demonstrated he can still pitch at an elite level. Now with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan, he went 10 – 4 with 130 Innings, 130 strikeouts, and a 2.76 ERA in 2023. He went 10–0 with a 2.48 and 120 strikeouts for the Mexican League's Diablos Rojos del México the following season.Bauer has a 3–3 record, 3.20 earned run average, and 73 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched in Japan, where he is under contract for the remainder of the 2023 campaign and the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the BayStars.

Those numbers are proof that he is still capable of being an ace and, therefore, might be able to contribute in MLB.

Trevor Bauer's legal developments and potential MLB return

Trevor Bauer's MLB future has been greatly affected by off-field issues. Still, on June 3, 2025, a court ruled that his accuser owed him more than $300,000 for violating a previous agreement, an important milestone in the restoration of his reputation. It may also allow MLB teams to reconsider signing him.

For fantasy baseball managers, unfortunately, Bauer's possible return becomes a high-risk, high-reward proposition. Assuming he makes an MLB roster, Trevor has shown enough both recently and in stints over the last few seasons that he could be a valuable part of a pitching staff, especially in deeper formats. Given the uncertainty regarding his return and the potential disruption to the dressing room if he does so, managers should continue exercising caution.Also Read: Trevor Bauer questions fairness as MLB forgives Pete Rose but not himAll in all, Trevor Bauer is still a big question mark in the MLB landscape. However, his ongoing efforts and a positive legal result place Bauer on the map as a sleeper for fantasy baseball teams. A manager ready to take a somewhat risky gamble could find himself rewarded.