Away Back Gone
FanSided

Cleveland Indians: 3 forgotten players that can make an impact in 2021

By Aaron Gershon

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 05: Jake Bauers #10 of the Cleveland Indians in the dugout prior to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field on April 05, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Blue Jays 3-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 05: Jake Bauers #10 of the Cleveland Indians in the dugout prior to the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field on April 05, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Blue Jays 3-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 23: Jake Bauers #10 of the Cleveland Indians at bat during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at Progressive Field on April 23, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 23: Jake Bauers #10 of the Cleveland Indians at bat during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at Progressive Field on April 23, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

OF/1B, Jake Bauers

When the Cleveland Indians landed Jake Bauers in a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners in December of 2018, many thought he was a steal.

Cleveland traded veteran slugger Edwin Encarnacion to Seattle, infielder Yandy Diaz and pitcher Cole Sulser to the Rays in exchange for Carlos Santana from Seattle and Bauers from Tampa.

While much of the excitement for Cleveland fans was the idea of reuniting with Santana, landing Bauers as part of the deal was seen as a massive heist.

Bauers was ranked among the top prospects in Tampa Bay’s loaded systems and had hit 11 home runs with 48 RBI’s in 96 games upon being called up to the majors in 2018.

In his first year with the Indians, Bauers had an up and down season as he moved from first base to left field as he slashed .226/.312/.371 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI’s in 117 games.

When it came time to form the 2020 roster, Bauers made the 40-man squad but spent the entire year at the Indians alternate site in Lake County. This may have been due to a poor spring training as he slashed just .172/.172/.310 with a home run down in Arizona before COVID-19 delayed the season.

With Cleveland’s outfield problems and the first base position a question mark with Santana likely to be let go, Bauers should find himself back with the Indians in 2021 with a chance to earn a major role with the club in the future.

Home/Cleveland Guardians News