Dodgers agree to deal with premier free-agent pitcher Trevor Bauer

LOS ANGELES — As they prepare to defend their first World Series title in 32 years, the Dodgers made a major splash Friday by agreeing to a deal with reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer, who published a YouTube video with the news.

The three-year contract reportedly is worth $102 million, paying Bauer $40 million in 2021 and $45 million in 2022, with Bauer able to opt out after either season.

After posting a league-leading 1.73 ERA in 11 starts with the Cincinnati Reds in the 60-game 2020 season, Bauer joins a loaded Dodgers rotation that is already returning its top starters from last year’s World Series champion team, cementing the club’s place as MLB favorites less than two months away from opening day.

“This season is about adding to our legacy, and I can’t wait Dodger fans,” Bauer said in the YouTube video, which ended on a shot of him wearing a white Dodgers uniform.

Widely considered the top free-agent pitcher available this offseason, Bauer reportedly narrowed his decision to the Dodgers and New York Mets. On Thursday, his agent, Rachel Luba, tweeted, “Down to 2” in apparent reference to Bauer’s selection process. The Mets reportedly gave Bauer a deadline of Friday at noon ET to make a decision, and by noon PT he did decide: on the Dodgers.

Prior to Friday, the Dodgers had been quiet this winter. Several role players, including Joc Pederson, Kiké Hernández, Alex Wood and Pedro Báez, signed elsewhere and third baseman Justin Turner remains available in free agency. And other than tweaks to the bullpen — including the acquisitions of Corey Knebel and Tommy Kahnle, plus the re-signing of Blake Treinen — the roster remained largely unchanged.