CLEVELAND — Now that we've all had 24 hours or so to react to the news that Trevor Bauer is no longer a Cleveland Indian, how do you feel?
The Indians dealt the complicated, yet talented right-hander to the Cincinnati Reds in a blockbuster three-team trade that netted the Tribe five players in return, including slugging outfielders Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes.
There were a lot of factors that went into why the Tribe made this deal. Sunday's baseball throwing incident with Bauer in Kansas City was a part of it, but not the determining factor.
Money, money, money
Bauer is in the next-to-last year of arbitration before he can test the waters of free agency. Odds are, he probably would have commanded a salary in the neighborhood of $18-$20 million dollars for 2020.
Beyond that, he will have more than likely have priced himself out of the Indians' reach.
The Tribe now looks at a rotation with a combination of young starters that they control for the next few years (Shane Bieber, Mike Clevinger, Zach Plesac, Logan Allen) and veterans with team-friendly contracts (Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco).
Economics are never far out of the minds of Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff when deals like this happen.
Offensive punch
We saw on Tuesday why the Indians are desperate for some middle-of-the-order power in their lineup. Justin Verlander and the Astros bullpen held the Tribe to just two measly singles. Bieber was terrific, but didn't have any help from his offensive teammates.
Puig and Reyes have combined for 49 home runs this year. Teaming them in the lineup alongside switch-hitters Carlos Santana and Jose Ramirez and behind Francisco Lindor and Oscar Mercado gives Terry Francona some power and flexibility to play with.
The Tribe starts play on Wednesday 20th in the majors in home runs. They can compete with just about any team in either league when it comes to pitching, but desperately needed some more pop in the lineup. Problem solved.
Curfew
Jim Donovan is not a fan of this trade. Not even close. But I thought he made a great analogy to describe the attitude of the Indians management when it comes to Bauer. He's the kid that stays out after curfew time after time and tests the patience of the parents.
The Tribe decided that they could no longer keep the kid in the house. It's time for him to pack his bags and go live somewhere else. Sunday was not the determining factor, but it may well have been the final straw.
RELATED: Cleveland Indians' Terry Francona admits he had concerns about Trevor Bauer's ball-throwing incident
Back to Jimmy for a second. His point on Wednesday's Donovan Live Postgame Show was that you just don't trade away great starting pitching. I completely understand where he's coming from. Bauer is such a tantalizing talent and made you think that he was capable of throwing a no-hitter after he retires the first batter of the game. But he also can be difficult.
We won't know who won or who lost this trade for some time. Some of it will depend on how the Tribe's rotation performs down the stretch, whether Reyes is a long-term, middle-of-the-order power hitter, and if any of the other pieces in the deal pan out. In any case, it will make for an entertaining pennant race for the rest of the summer.
Watch the Donovan Live Postgame Show, presented by Master Pizza, in the player below:
UPDATE: Not long after Jimmy and I did the show, Bauer spoke to the media at Progressive Field on his way out the door: 'I am myself, to a fault': Former Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer discusses his legacy in Cleveland after trade
