A lesser trade-deadline trade, but a pretty good one for Cleveland IMHO

[Auggie]

3. Bauer? Tribe is close to having Salazar and Kluber back ...

Salazar later this week, actually. Kluber soon after, rested and healthy.

If there was ever a time to trade Bauer, I guess it's this week. They need a veteran right-handed hitter ready to play now (and hopefully under contract for a few years).

Bauer had an off day. It happens. But it's possible he isn't be as lights-out as he was in 2017-2018. That's why I'm okay letting him go. That, and having two starters ready to rejoin the club. He apologized for the meltdown. But it was weird meltdown. It wasn't instantaneous -- you could see it coming. I don't think it would affect his trade value. If his mechanics are out-of-whack that's another thing.

If Cleveland makes the playoffs, the rotation would be Kluber, Clevinger, Bieber and maybe Salazar or Plesac -- with Plutko available for long relief. That's one hell of a playoff rotation, even without Bauer. I think he's worth a decent hitter.