Cleveland Indians: 5 most memorable trade deadline moves since 2010

Perhaps no trade made during the 2019 trade deadline generated a more buzzing than a three-team deal between the Indians, Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres.

In the deal, the Indians flipped all-star starting pitcher Trevor Bauer to the Reds, while adding big-name outfielder Yasiel Puig and pitching prospect Scott Moss from Cincinnati as well as slugger Franmil Reyes, right-handed reliever Logan Allen and minor league bat Victor Nova from San Diego. To finish the trade, the Reds shipped top outfield prospect Taylor Trammell to the Padres.

This deal came after Shane Bieber, Adam Plutko and Aaron Civale emerged as reliable rotation pieces allowing the Indians to move Bauer, who was set to become a free-agent the team likely would be unable to afford after the 2020 season.

Needing help scoring runs, the Indians got exactly what they needed in Puig and Reyes. Puig slashed .297/.377/.423 with two home runs and 23 RBI’s while Reyes slugged 10 home runs with 35 RBI’s in 51 games.

Unfortunately, this would not be enough to propel Cleveland to the playoffs as their three-year postseason streak came to an end after finishing the regular season 93-69 and eight games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central.

As of 2020, the Indians four of the five players the Indians added are still with the organization with the expectation of Puig, who is a free agent. Reyes has served as the Indians designated hitter this season, Allen has appeared in one game out of the bullpen, Moss is at the teams’ alternate site and Mesa remains in the minors.

As for Bauer, he struggled in 10 starts upon his arrival in Cincinnati posting a 2-5 record and 6.39 ERA, but in 2020 he has regained his all-star form as he’s posted a major league-best 0.68 ERA in four starts this season. He will be a free agent at the end of the season.