Reds Trading for Trevor Bauer Was Pretty Much Pointless Based on His Latest Comments

The Cincinnati Reds shocked the baseball world last week when they acquired right-handed starter Trevor Bauer from the Cleveland Indians in a wild three-team trade.

With Bauer becoming a free agent after the 2020 season, you figured the Reds would buy the next 1.5 seasons to convince him to stay in Cincy. But after Bauer's most recent comments, this trade now seems completely pointless for the Reds unless they plan on winning the World Series next year.

Trevor Bauer reiterated his stance today that he will only sign 1-year contracts once he becomes a free agent. #Reds
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) August 5, 2019

One-year deals for the rest of your career. Talk about a gamble for an athlete.

It may not work out for Bauer, as he'll be betting on himself for the rest of his career to stay healthy and produce. It's also not a good thing to hear if you're the Reds, who are going to pay him big money next year for a season in which they probably won't be a top contender.

Trevor Bauer was asked if he's thought about a longer-term stay with the #Reds past his current contract. He says he plans to sign 1-year deals the rest of his career to maintain the flexibility of pitching for teams who are ready to contend.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) August 5, 2019

In the grand scheme of things, the Reds didn't give up a lot. Yasiel Puig was going to be a free agent at season's end, and they obviously weren't as big on outfield prospect Taylor Trammell, who has taken a step back this year.

Give the Reds credit for trying to win by loading up their starting rotation, which could shock everyone next year, but acquiring a pitcher like Bauer who intends on going year-to-year is certainly risky.