Cleveland Indians: 5 ways Bauer trade helps Tribe get back to World Series

3. Bauer won’t haunt the Tribe

The constant rumors involving the Astros and Yankees had to make every Indians’ fan cringe. Sure, trading Bauer was the prudent thing to do. The right-hander was going to walk after next season. There was never a question of if he would be traded. Rather, the question was, when?

But to the Yanks and Astros? Cleveland’s vying for a postseason berth. How could the front office look at their fan base and justify trading one of their top arms to a team they might end up playing in October?

Fortunately, it didn’t happen, as Bauer will spend his final 1 1/2 seasons before free agency pitching in Cinnnati where he won’t hurt the Tribe.

It will be interesting to how Bauer is received in Cincinnati, considering his unorthodox view on training, pitching and working out. The Indians were willing to let Bauer be Bauer. You’d think the Reds are willing to do the same, because it’s not exactly a secret Bauer does what he wants.

Bauer to the Reds continues the crazy trade deadline tend of top-market pitchers going to non-contenders.

The Mets acquired Marcus Stroman from the Blue Jays just a few days back and aren’t going anywhere in October. Now, Cincinnati.

The Reds haven’t had a winning season since 2013. They have to be targeting 2020 as a potential year for a playoff berth. All-Star Luis Castillo and Bauer make for a pretty formidable 1-2 punch.

There’s always the chance the Reds could flip him, as the Yankees and Astros interest surely hasn’t waned.