Indians World Series’ Odds at +1550; Does Bauer-for-Puig Trade Help Their Playoff Chances?

• The Cleveland Indians swung a massive deal at the 2019 MLB Trade Deadline
• Trevor Bauer is out, but Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes have been added to the lineup
• How do the Indians’ 2019 World Series chances stack up now?

The Cleveland Indians swung one of the deals of the 2019 MLB Trade Deadline.

In a late-night shocker, Cleveland sent Trevor Bauer to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a three-team swap that also involved the San Diego Padres.

What we know:#Reds give up Taylor Trammell, Yasiel Puig; get Trevor Bauer.#Indians give up Bauer; get Puig, Franmil Reyes and Logan Allen.#Padres give up Reyes and Allen, get Trammell.

Not known if other pieces involved.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2019

The trade changes the landscape of the Indians’ roster and where they stand in the American League. It immediately improves their outfield and, despite losing Bauer, puts pressure on the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins.

Cleveland Indians’ 2019 World Series Odds

*Odds taken 07/31/2019

Taken directly from our World Series odds tracker, the Indians had worked themselves into a top-seven position prior to their massive move. How do they stack up now?

On paper, it moves them above the Twins, and likely into third place in the AL. When you consider the ups and downs of the Twins recently, it strengthens the Tribe’s case.

Ultimately it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them settle just shy of the Braves.

What the Cleveland Indians Lose in Trevor Bauer

While the Indians’ loss of Trevor Bauer stings, they have other ways of making up for it.

Here’s how he stacks up against Indians pitchers with nine or more starts.

Cleveland Indians Starters

The Indians are still hoping to see Carlos Carrasco take the field again this year. While that would be a huge boost on the field, the off-field implications are far more important.

The two big names on this list are Shane Bieber and Mike Clevinger.

Clevinger’s return from the Injured Listed, and his performance since, gave the Indians some wiggle room on this deal. Bieber’s ascension as a top-end starter in the AL is one of the main reasons Cleveland is still in contention.

ICYMI: Corey Kluber threw a bullpen session yesterday in Toronto. The @Indians ace is getting closer to returning to the mound. #RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/l5YmXtBZp7

— SportsTime Ohio (@SportsTimeOhio) July 25, 2019

Oh, and apparently Corey Kluber’s rehab is going alright too.

The freedom to do this deal allowed the Indians to shore up other areas.

Cleveland Indians Make Massive Outfield Improvement

The Indians got a much-needed upgrade to a much-maligned outfield.

Before the Trade Deadline, the Indians owned a -1.6 WAR for their cumulative outfield production. Position-wise right field was their best rated position at 0.4 WAR.

A couple notes:

-The Indians were able to get the sort of haul for Bauer they’ve dreamed about since November… and without trading Bauer to a potential postseason opponent

-They still haven’t tapped into their farm system, so they have ammo to address other areas (pitching)

— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) July 31, 2019

Both center and left took in grades of -1.0.

Here’s how Franmil Reyes and Yasiel Puig stack up with some of their outfield options.

Cleveland Indians Outfield Comparison

Other names who have been trotted out there? Carlos Gonzalez and Leonys Martin.

While Reyes will likely fill in at DH over playing the field, it still helps solidify the production, insulating some of the bats that haven’t been as productive.

What Will Danny Salazar Offer Cleveland Indians?

There’s one more thing that helps offset the loss of Trevor Bauer, and that’s the return of Danny Salazar.

Salazar has put up a 2.60 ERA with 28 strikeouts over 17.1 innings on his rehab stint, and will be used as an elongated opener upon his return Thursday.

Danny Salazar was dialed in during his second start for the #ClipShow tonight!

Final line: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R/ER, 1 BB, 5K on 69 pitches (43 for strikes)#ThisShipRocks⚓️ pic.twitter.com/gm1T3E4NCc

— Columbus Clippers (@CLBClippers) July 28, 2019

While he likely won’t have the same impact as Bauer right away, if he comes back and is healthy, then the Indians won’t miss Bauer quite as much.

At its core, the trade means Cleveland flipped Bauer for outfield help, while getting a comparable talent back off the Injured List.

Expectations need to be tempered for Salazar however, as he’s pitching for the first time since 2017.

Where the Cleveland Indians Stand in the World Series Picture

The Indians are going to be a very interesting team to watch. If Salazar is OK, and Kluber is even 80% as effective as normal, that’s huge.

It would give them a starting staff that could go toe-to-toe with the Astros and Yankees’ offenses.

While we still have yet to find out how effective those arms will be, it’s worth hunting around for Cleveland at long odds.

Because chances are, they’re going to be on the rise.