Our staff sure looks a lot better heading into next year if Bauer is on it. We'll never be able to compete on dollars with the big boys. Now, I have no idea if Bauer really will go for one year deals as he has previously said, or if a long term deal with yearly opt-outs is the new "series of one year deals". If that is what he wants, we're probably dead.
But the one thing he really wants is to prove he can be start on 3 days rest. That's the one thing we can give him, and it costs no money. In fact if he's right, it helps the Reds a lot.
Write it into his contract that as long as his ERA is below 3.25 (or some figure) he can start every 4th day.
That might convince him to sign.