Indians ship Bauer to Reds as part of three-team trade
Volatile Puig lands in Cleveland
CLEVELAND — Trevor Bauer’s final act for the Indians was throwing a ball over the centrefield wall.
Yasiel Puig ended his season with Cincinnati in another brawl.
Cleveland agreed to trade Bauer, the talented but taxing right-hander, to the Reds on Tuesday night for Puig in a threeteam deal that also involves the San Diego Padres, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press.
The Indians, who are trying to catch the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central, also get left-hander Scott Moss from Cincinnati and slugging outfielder Franmil Reyes, lefty Logan Allen and infielder Victor Nova from the Padres, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced.
San Diego receives minor league outfielder Taylor Trammell from the Reds, the person said.
In his last start for the Indians on Sunday, Bauer, who is not eligible for free agency until after the 2020 season, threw a ball in frustration from the mound in Kansas City over the centre-field wall. The moment seemed to push the Indians over the edge with the enigmatic 28-year-old, who has one of baseball’s best arms but can be difficult.
Following Cleveland’s 2-0 loss to the Houston Astros, Bauer talked and exchanged hugs with several teammates in the clubhouse before departing about 10:45 p.m. He declined to speak with reporters.
Bauer is 9-8 with a 3.79 ERA in 24 starts this season, but he hasn’t been as consistent as the Indians have needed while waiting for two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber (broken arm) and Carlos Carrasco (leukemia) to return to their rotation.
Cleveland has been looking to add power to its lineup and Puig and Reyes will help.
However, Puig is facing a possible suspension after he was involved in another brawl with the Pittsburgh Pirates just as the trade was coming together.
In the ninth inning, Reds reliever Amir Garrett rushed the Pirates’ dugout and threw punches, starting a brawl prolonged by Puig. As he left the field for the final time, Puig was given a warm ovation from Reds fans. He was also at the centre of a melee between the teams in April, when Puig seemed to be taking on the entire Pirates team by himself near home plate.