Anonymous GM Says Yankees and Astros Are Favorites to Land Trevor Bauer
By Mark Powell
Trevor Bauer's Sunday tantrum after a brutal outing against the Kansas City Royals did the Cleveland Indians no favors in their goal to get MLB-ready assets for the hot-headed hurler at the MLB Trade Deadline.
However, it's not going to stop the Tribe from trying. Bauer is a high-caliber arm in a market lacking just that, and despite his outbursts and controversial status in the game, his ability on the mound is impossible to deny.
Should Bauer be traded, one GM believes the Astros and Yankees are the favorites to land him.
I've heard some executives question whether the Mets will actually move Syndergaard by Wednesday, and the same for the Indians and Bauer. One GM I spoke with expects both to be traded and -- here's the fun part -- he tabs the Yankees and Astros as frontrunners to land Bauer.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2019
Both locations make some sense, but for different reasons. The Yankees are desperate for pitching after they were shelled last weekend in Boston, and Clint Frazier is about as MLB-ready as they come. Houston, on the other hand, wants to avoid paying top price (hint: Kyle Tucker) to improve their squad. Considering pitching is already a strength, adding Bauer to their top-heavy group would be a valuable move.
The Indians continue to evaluate possible trade scenarios involving Trevor Bauer. Haven’t made a hard buy/sell decision either way.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 29, 2019
However, this is curious from Cleveland's perspective. By dealing Bauer to an AL contender, they run the risk of facing him in the postseason and having this decision shoved in their face. A trade to the National League makes more sense, but perhaps the market isn't as strong.