Guardians' ill-fated 2018 deal is about to look even worse thanks to Brewers-Rays World Series 

On Dec. 13, 2018, the Cleveland Guardians reunited with first baseman Carlos Santana as a part of a three-time trade with the Mariners and Rays that created one of the more convoluted trade trees in recent memory. 

For the longest time, the trade seemed like a bit of a loss for the Guardians. While Yandy Díaz (one of the pieces they gave away) blossomed into an All-Star with the Rays, Santana had a great 2019 campaign for Cleveland (plus the trade allowed for them to get out from under Edwin Encarnacion’s contract. 

That’s all going to change this October, however. Later this week the Brewers and Rays are going to face off in a World Series matchup ripe with storylines — one of which is that a piece of that ill-fated trade is going to win a World Series no matter what. 

On one side there’s Díaz, who recorded his second career All-Star nod in the regular season and just killed the Guardians in the ALCS. And on the other there’s Jake Bauers, who was part of the Guardians’ return in that 2018 trade but never managed to put it together in Cleveland. 

This year’s World Series could be a tough watch for Guardians fans  

Bauers’ emergence is the most surprising of the two considering he flamed out with both the Mariners and Yankees after leaving Cleveland and was even cut loose by the Brewers prior to his breakout last season. 

He authored a career year for Milwaukee in the regular season before having the series of his life in the NLCS that ended with him winning MVP honors. 

Bauers showed flashes in Cleveland, but he ultimately never did enough to earn a roster spot and was cut loose after a horrible start to 2021. 

Díaz’s story is completely different. He began his career in the Guardians’ system but never really got a fair shake despite the fact it was clear he had talent. The Guardians included him in their trade with the Rays because there wasn’t room for him at third behind José Ramírez, and the Rays wasted no time turning him into a productive first baseman. 

He’s flirted with a .300 batting average in every season but one in his time in Florida, and has also become the heart and soul of the Rays’ lineup. He’ll be a staple atop the Rays’ lineup during the Fall Classic.

This year’s World Series was always going to be a hard watch for Guardians fans considering it’s going to feature two small-market teams (one of which knocked them out of the postseason), but Bauers’ and Díaz’s production is only going to make it worse.

Although there's an argument to be made that the Guardians were right to get rid of both players, it still isn't going to take away the sting that's going to come with seeing one of them win.

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