Romero: "[Milwaukee] Brewers Open To Offers On Jake Bauers"

[Matthew Lenz]

The Milwaukee Brewers have been keeping the hot stove warm in the last two days. They traded Aaron Civale, who requested a trade after being forced to the bullpen, to the Chicago White Sox for 1B/OF Andrew Vaughn. Vaughn was previously with the White Sox Triple-A affiliate.

That move has prompted the team to put 1B/OF Jake Bauers on the trade blocking, according to Francys Romero.

Vaughn and Bauers are redundant on the Brewers' 40-man roster as they profile similarly, and Rhys Hoskins is the team's primary first baseman. The team must view Vaughn better than they do Bauers, given how the last few hours have unfolded. Bauers has had a good start to the season with a .762 OPS and five home runs, but is significantly cheaper than Vaughn. It's a pretty surprising move as Vaughn has been underwhelming in his big-league career.

What do you think of the moves today?

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[nate82]

This has more to do with Mitchell and Perkins coming back soon more than the recent acquisition of Vaughn.  Both Mitchell and Perkins have more defensive value than Bauers which the Brewers definitely value more.

[liveforoctober]

I don't think Vaughn has much of a chance to see the Brewers roster unless they trade Rhys. Bauers' best quality for our team is that he is a LHB option. If we trade him it will be Ernesto coming up to replace ... not Vaughn. Vaughn becomes an option if we need a RHB at 1B after a Rhys trade.

[endaround]

I mean I too would listen for offers on a 4th Ofer playing above his long term numbers who is most likely going to be non-tendered this winter.

[JohnBriggs12]

With Mitchell's return now a mystery, hanging on to Bauers is far more likely than it was a week ago.  Bauers is a valuable depth option and has proven himself as a decent PH late in games.  Bauers has pinch hit 105 times in his career, while Vaughn has only done it 14 times.  Though Bauers isn't great in the outfield, he's better than Vaughn.  I think Vaughn was acquired to replace Hoskins, but first he has some issues to iron out in the minors.

[Scooterfletcher]

Send him to SF with Hudson and maybe a distant prospect for Tyler Fitzgerald.

[jay87shot]

Why would Vaughn take Bauers spot. Vaughn is right handed and a worse fielder than Rhys so he wouldn't play. I could see us trading Bauers but it would be if EMJ or Tyler Black start getting hot. With Perkins coming back I would guess there won't be much OF time for Bauers.