Report: Phillies Have Discussed Trevor Bauer

With the trade deadline just a week away, the Phillies are expected to be active.  In recent days the Phillies have been linked to big starting pitching names such as Zach Greinke, Robbie Ray, and Matthew Boyd, while presumably still having interest in Mike Minor, whom the Phillies pursued this offseason.  But a new, interesting name has entered the rumor mix.

However, Cleveland remains in contention.

Prior to the season, there was speculation that the Indians would trade either Bauer or Corey Kluber to help mitigate payroll concerns.  Instead, the Indians unloaded by Yonder Alonso and Edwin Encarnacion, while bringing back Carlos Santana to keep their offense potent.  Kluber has been on the disabled list, but the Indians are in contention.

The Indians are just three games behind the league-leading Minnesota Twins and hold the first Wild Card should the season end today.  That makes it somewhat surprising that the Indians are willing to discuss such a trade.  There could be some long-term payroll concerns that they are hoping to mitigate that come ahead of trying to win.

The Indians are also without starter Carlos Carrasco, who is being treated for Leukemia.

Or, perhaps the Indians simply feel that Bauer would walk after next season and they hope to get some talent back.  Bauer has one more year of arbitration left in his contract before he comes a free agent.  Bauer has only wished to sign one-year deals and go to arbitration each time.

A very talented player, Bauer has also widely been criticized for his interactions on Twitter.

Bauer is 9-7 with a 3.49 earned run average in 23 starts.  He has struck out 179 in 152 2/3 innings.  Bauer was a 2018 American League All-Star.