Brewers Acquire Bauers from Bronx Bombers

The Brewers have been looking for help at first base, depth around the diamond, and left-handed power, and those are things that Jake Bauers can do, at least to some degree. The 28-year-old debuted with the Rays back in 2018. He played for Cleveland in 2019 and 2021. He spent a little time with the Mariners in 2021. After spending 2022 in the minor leagues, Bauers played in 84 games for the Yankees. He hit .202/.279/.413 (.693) with 16 doubles and 12 home runs. He made at least 20 starts in both corner outfield positions and at first base. 

In his career, Bauers has approximately three-and-a-half years of service time, making him arbitration-eligible. MLB Trade Rumors projects him to make about $1.7 million. 

To acquire the journeyman, the Brewers traded outfielders Jace Avina and Brian Sanchez. Avina is 20 years old and was the team's 14th round pick in 2021 out of high school in Nevada. In 2022, he was Brewer Fanatics' short-season minor league hitter of the year. In 36 Arizona Complex League games, he hit .294.436/.630 (1.067) with eight doubles and 10 homers. He finished that season hitting .245/.336/.471 (.807) with four doubles, two triples and five homers. He spent the full 2023 season with the Mudcats. In 99 games, he hit .233/.373/.442 (.815) with 22 doubles, two triples, and 14 homers. he also had 10 stolen bases.  

Brian Sanchez is 19 years old and signed a year ago out of as a free agent from Venezuela. In 33 games in the Dominican Summer League this year, he hit .297/.414/.446 (.860) with seven doubles and four triples. 

The Brewers gave up two very young but very intriguing prospects for the opportunity to offer Bauers' arbitration in an hour. The Yankees weren't willing to keep him at $1.7 million or so, but can Bauers fill a role with the Brewers? Or, could he be non-tendered if they can't reach an agreement before 6:00? 

We are just over two hours from the deadline. What will the Brewers do with Brandon Woodruff? Is anyone buying that he could pitch in 2024 or that the Brewers are taking calls on him? Could their be more trades? Discuss below.