One of the chief postseason contenders in the American League, the Indians, aren't sitting around heading into the season's final two months.
According to multiple outlets Cleveland has agreed to send starting pitcher Trevor Bauer to the Reds as part of a three-team trade that also includes San Diego. Going to the Indians will be Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig along with former Red Sox prospect Logan Allen and outfielder Franmil Reyes. San Diego gets top outfield prospect Taylor Trammell from the Reds.
The deal is pending medical reviews, according to the MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
The move is a bold one by the Indians, who are trading away a pitcher in Bauer who leads the American League in innings pitched while totaling a 3.79 ERA. The 28-year-old finished sixth in American League Cy Young voting a year ago. He is making $13 million this season and is eligible for free agency after the 2020 season.
The Indians entered Tuesday night 2 1/2 games out of first place in the Central Division and three games up on Tampa Bay for a Wild Card spot. (Oakland, which owns the other Wild Card position, sits 2 1/2 games in back of Cleveland.)
Bauer ruffled feathers within the Indians organization after he flung the ball into the center-field stands just before Terry Francona reached the mound to take him out.
Puig, who is eligible to become a free agent after the season, is hitting .255 with a .785 OPS and 22 home runs.
The Red Sox play the Indians in Cleveland Aug. 12-14.