VIDEO: Trevor Bauer Sits Down Josh Donaldson for 1st Strikeout as a Red
By Michael Luciano
And with one wayward flail of the bat from Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson, the Trevor Bauer era is officially underway in Cincinnati. After being acquired from the Cleveland Indians in a deal that sent top prospect Taylor Trammell to San Diego and outfielder Yasiel Puig to Cleveland, Bauer is making his first start as a Red in Atlanta. Bauer proved that he didn't leave the nasty breaking balls in Cleveland.
Bauer has been a bit of a disappointment this year, as the 2.21 ERA he recorded in 2018 has risen all the way to 3.79. In addition he led the AL in the walks at the time of the trade.
Even with his struggles, Bauer remains one of the best strikeout artists in the league, and should pair with ace Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray to give the Reds a competent starting rotation for the first time since Johnny Cueto was traded.
Bauer might be a free agent after 2020, but the Reds should have one of the better rotations in the NL with Bauer fully integrated.