The Indians have optioned first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers and outfielder to Greg Allen, the club announced. The moves create 25-man roster space for Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes, the Tribe’s two new outfield acquisitions from their blockbuster three-team trade Tuesday with the Padres and Reds.
It’s been a tough first season in Cleveland for Bauers, as the left-handed bat has managed just a .233/.308/.379 slash line over 383 plate appearances for the Tribe. Acquired along with Carlos Santana in another big three-team swap (with the Mariners and Rays last December), Bauers had top-100 prospect buzz surrounding him in Tampa Bay, and the Tribe were hopeful of a breakout. While Bauers is still only 23 and could certainly still emerge in the future, his lack of production this year was undoubtedly a factor in the pennant-hungry Indians’ need to acquire such notable hitting upgrades in Puig and Reyes.
With Bauers and Allen in the minors, Puig will slide into everyday work in right field while Reyes will likely spend much of his time at DH. The Tribe have Jordan Luplow and utilityman Mike Freeman as backup outfield options on the bench, making Allen expendable.