I have a lot of respect for the Indians front office, and I’m inclined to trust them even when a transaction doesn’t immediately make sense. That said, no one is better at finding value than the Rays. And Mariners GM Jerry DiPoto, despite a limited track record so far, has proven to be an aggressive GM and an outside-the-box thinker. In other words, if the Indians front office were going to be outsmarted, a three-way deal with the Rays and Mariners is how it would happen.
Here’s a closer look at a few key points that I think need to be considered in order to evaluate these moves:
Bauers can play the outfield
This matters a little less now that Yonder Alonso has been traded to the White Sox, but Jake Bauers will likely still see some action in the outfield.