Not going to try to convince you of anything. But I can explain why.
Bauer is a unique case and any on field staff that is around him (like the Reds were last year) figures that out right away. He is the most durable pitcher around. That guy throws, and then throws and then throws some more. Never has had an arm injury. Usually pitches 30 to 40 innings in the offseason and no one questions his readiness to pitch deep into games the day he reports. So if you are looking for someone ready to go from day one, it is him.
Now that doesn't speak to the results you get, or the perception by people whom are not close enough to the pitchers to know their actual readiness. Guy will be ready to go 6 or 7 innings on July 1. So if you are making choices based on readiness for a shortened spring training, Bauer becomes an obvious answer. And there is something to be said for the effect on the entire staff when you have days where the starter is ready to give you a lot of innings.