News broke on Friday afternoon that the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers agreed on a three-player trade, with a notable outfielder and a couple of prospects being a focal point of the deal.
The notable outfielder heading to the Cream City is Jake Bauers, who played a key role for the Bronx Bombers in 2023. He performed well for a significant stretch of the season, as he was a fill-in for a ballclub that lost several of its players to injury through a tumultuous 2023 campaign. Bauers cooled off in the second half of the season, as he posted just a .495 OPS in 30 games in August and September.
Now, it’s time to see if a change of scenery can help the 28-year-old Bauers revitalize his career, as potentially an everyday contributor for the National League Central club.
It was reported on Friday afternoon that Bauers was being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers. In exchange, the Yankees will be receiving a pair of minor-league outfielders, Jace Avina and Brian Sánchez.
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the deal, which was later confirmed by both the Yankees and Brewers.
Trade news: The Milwaukee Brewers acquired outfielder Jake Bauers from the New York Yankees for minor league outfielders Jace Avina and Brian Sanchez.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2023
The trade caught the attention of MLB fans.
Jake Bauers hit 12 HR in 272 PA with an 18.7% (!) barrel rate this past season.
His xHR number in Milwaukee would've been 18 in 2023. #FantasyBaseball https://t.co/H848rDkhJ3
— Ben Rosener (@BenRosener) November 17, 2023
Wonder if Cashman negotiated from the sleeping bag at all https://t.co/NwIcnD3Dsn
— Stanzo (@ncostanzo24) November 17, 2023
Huge moves Yankees. I think that’s enough for the off-season https://t.co/1hkJd6bV4j
— Knucks (@Knucks1096) November 17, 2023
20 year old Avina and 18 year oh LHB Sanchez. Looks like prospects are about to be moved and they’re filling holes about to be made. https://t.co/YKhH7CtBqy
— Mr. Name That Yank (@NamethatYank) November 17, 2023
Have no idea who any of these people are. https://t.co/SNacZFGll6
— Dan Buhler (@FBuhlersDayOff) November 17, 2023
getting the yelich replacement for when he gets traded to toronto https://t.co/JwelngKa7I
— baseballquestioner? (@baseballdenier) November 17, 2023
Bauers is gone! Felt he was a good trade candidate or non tender. https://t.co/zeGilbh02q
— Matt ⚾️ (@yankeesguy93) November 17, 2023
Joel Sherman of The New York Post noted that neither Avina nor Sánchez needs to be on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. As for Bauers, he was among a quartet of players that New York was most likely to trade or not tender a contract by Friday’s 7 p.m. deadline.
In 272 plate appearances last season, Bauers hit .202/.279/.413 with 12 home runs. His numbers are nearly identical to that of Rowdy Tellez, who is likely to be non-tendered by the Brewers on Friday, as Bauers will be a fraction of the cost for a similar level of production.
[Jeff Passan, New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers]
