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Cleveland Indians Mailbag Preview: Part Two

By Joe Russo

Oct 4, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view of a Cleveland Indians helmet prior to a game between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field. Cleveland won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view of a Cleveland Indians helmet prior to a game between the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox at Progressive Field. Cleveland won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 2, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) delivers a pitch against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Is This The Year We Finally See Trevor Bauer Put It All Together?

If I can answer that question, then I need to play the lottery more often. Tribe’s pitcher Trevor Bauer has been difficult to understand in Cleveland and with the Arizona Diamondbacks before that.

The talent was always there. Just look at his staggering strikeout rates and you will see why scouts were so high on Bauer all this time.

Last season saw Bauer finally implode. He lost his edge, temper, and then his stuff and was benched in favor of Josh Tomlin down the stretch. His second half ERA was about double what it was in the early part of the year. Needless to say, Bauer has a lot of work to do.

This still can be a year where Bauer puts it all together. I picked Bauer to be a breakout star last season as well, claiming he was going to be in 2015 what we thought Salazar could be.

Instead, I am just hoping he falls somewhere into between. The ceiling is still very high for Bauer and I am still a believer in his arm as well as pitching coach Mickey Callaway’s ability to coach him.

Next: Is Corey Kluber Stil The Ace Heading Heading Into 2016?

For a 25-year-old pitcher, Bauer is doing alright and will figure it out in 2016 simply because he has to. This might be his last shot to break through.

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