MLB teams in playoff contention don't usually trade their cleanup hitter.
But that's what the Milwaukee Brewers have been linked to doing.
Jake Bauers doesn't hit fourth every game, but against right-handers, he has found himself in that lineup slot of late. And according to veteran reporter Francys Romero, "The Brewers will be open to listening to offers for Jake Bauers."
Milwaukee is 38-33 entering Saturday, second place in the NL Central behind the powerful Cubs.
Bauers hasn't been amazing this season, batting .229 with five homers through 43 games, but he's one of the better lefty bats they have.
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The Brewers did just acquire another first baseman, Andrew Vaughn, in the deal that sent Aaron Civale to the White Sox, so maybe that factors in to this thinking.
Bauers is in the final year of his contract. He'd be a clear trade candidate near the deadline if Milwaukee was out of contention.
But at this present moment, he's a bit of an odd choice to sell, if the Brewers still believe they can make a run at the postseason.
Based on Romero's report, it might depend on another team actually wanting Bauers. And given that he hasn't gone anywhere yet, maybe the phones aren't ringing off the hook.
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