The competitor in me doesn't want to move Bauer at all, period, so long as we're chasing the Twins or a WC spot. I damn sure don't want to trade him to a team like the Yankees or Astros who we could possibly meet in the playoffs. I've been going back and forth on this, but the position we're in now--considering what happened in the off-season and then to 3/5 of our starting pitching--is a godsend. Play ball w/o making a major move, get young guys like Mercado, Bauers, Bieber, and even Bradley some playoff experience, or even playoff chase experience, and wait until the off-season to try to move Bauer.
I get the argument "We're in no way prepared to compete in the playoffs, so why not move Bauer now?" but I think getting there is valuable for our development. Bauer's good enough that he helps us get there. Trade him and it's a white flag, sends the wrong message to our young core. (Now, if we sink like a stone in the next couple weeks, it won't matter.) As much as I liked seeing Kluber and Cookie playing catch, I don't think we can count on either of them coming back this season.
I'm with other posters, though: If we're getting a top-flight OF/2B under control for at least 2 years or a top-of-the-line prospect(s) for Bauer, maybe I can swallow my pride.
But even then, the problem is this:
He simply hasn’t been good enough to warrant the return he should.
...he’ll be owed $20+ million next year. Why would a team go out and give up a Top 50 prospect for him?
If I'm the Yankees or Astros, where am I slotting in Bauer? #3? #4? Both teams are in the Top 10 in ERA and the Astros are #1 in BAA. How much better is Bauer really going to make their SP, and is it worth $20 mill AND high-level prospects?
Yanks don't mind the cash, but would probably lowball us on the prospects. Frazier (not exactly a prospect, I realize) doesn't do it for me.
Astros have prospects to spare, but Bauer's salary would seem prohibitive...and again, how much does he really help them? He's a quintessential #3-4 guy in your rotation. While he's matured since the drone incident, he hasn't been dependable enough to become a true #1-2 guy. Essentially he'd function as insurance, expensive insurance, for most of the teams that might afford him.
Maybe the Nationals would be buyers since they're trying to hold on to a wild card spot (or catch the Braves, unlikely), but I know zilch about their farm system or existing salaries.
I'll admit, it'd be fun seeing Bauer deal with NY fans and media, tho'.