Bauer or Kluber?

[Dtwncbad]

If the Angels decided to trade for one, which do you prefer?

One is better than the other but would cost more. . .

[TroutField]

Bauer, younger and seems like he’s really starting to hit his stride and become a top of the rotation starter. 

[totdprods]

Hard to say...Kluber might come a tad cheaper. Even though he’s older I think he’ll age well and brings more track record of consistency.

I’d really be happy with either.

[jessecrall]

Kluber. Easier to root for.

[Stradling]

Bauer, younger and still very talented.  Also I think he is a local guy since he went to UCLA so may be able to be resigned a bit easier.  

[Dtwncbad]

Everybody OK including Canning?  I can't imagine the Angels can get Bauer without including Canning. . .

[Dtwncbad]

Just noticed you could fold this entire thread into the last page and a half of an existing thread. . .

Oops.

[Second Base]

Depends on the scope.  If it's just in 2019, I'd go Kulber, but if we're talking 2020 and beyond, I think I'd go Bauer. 

[Angel Oracle]

Kluber is 5 years older than Bauer, and has put a lot of mileage on his arm over the past 5 seasons.   His WHIP/ERA have been mostly elite in that time though.   Is he just one of those pitchers with a runner arm?   I don’t remember his delivery using any extra oomph or having the dreaded inverted W.

Bauer was somewhat durable over the past 5 seasons, but did have DL stints in at least three of those seasons though.   Is he durable enough?  His 2018 season was an elite one, but it followed FOUR 4.00+ ERA and 1.30+ WHIP seasons.   2018 = fluke or finally realizing full potential?

But if they ask for Adell to be included, then deal off for either of them!

[hangin n wangin]

Bauer due to the fact that he's entering his prime and just finally broke out.

[Angel Oracle]

Bauer would be only 30 in his first new contract season in 2021.

[jordan]

Could Kluber be to the Angels, what Verlander is to the Astros?  If so, I would take that.  but I do like Bauer as well and he might be more re-signable in the future.  It's a toss up for me.  Either would greatly improve our pitching staff. 

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

Kluber is older but he didn't pitch more than 200 innings at the ML level until his age 28 season and has 1,306 IP in the majors.  He's signed for a total of 35.5M the next two years so the financial commitment in baseball contract terms isn't bad.  Over the last 5 years he's averaged 218 IP and 246K's with an ERA+ of 156.  Bauer has pitched 906 innings in the majors so age aside the mileage difference at the ML level isn't as big as you'd think given that one is 5 years older than the other.  Over the last 5 years Bauer has averaged 174 IP and 180 K's with an ERA+ of 120 which is really driven by 2018 when his ERA+ was 198.  Bauer is a guy I've targeted in fantasy baseball since he came up, he looked great last year and maybe he has put it all together.  He's under club control for the next 2 years and as of one point he only wanted to sign 1 year contracts his entire career: 

https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/07/06/trevor-bauer-one-year-contracts-get-shot-paintball-gun-groin  

No idea if that will be the case but it's something to consider.  Since they're both under club control for 2 more years which is coincidentally how long Trout's current contract lasts I'd opt for whoever is cheaper in trade.

[Angel Oracle]

Kluber actually has between 1-3 years of control, team options in 2020 and 2021.

[ettin]

Bauer because Kluber will cost twice as much in trade value or close to it. Corey has an extra year and is a better performer overall with cost-control.

Personally I think a Heaney for Bauer swap makes a lot of sense for both sides. Indians would shave about $9M off of their payroll and add a lefty to their rotation (which they do not have) with an extra year of control and the potential to extend (Trevor has Boras as his agent).

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

You're right when I looked at his contract I missed the last year.  He's under club control for the next 3 years for a total of 52.5M which again in baseball terms isn't bad.  If he declines rapidly or is injured it's a 1M buyout in year 3.  

[Hubs]

Either would be fantastic, but I think the Angels get outbid, as they won't likely give up Canning or Adell.

I'd like it if they focused on Gray, Rourk, or Tehran in a trade scenario.

[Catwhoshatinthehat]

7 minutes ago, ettin said:

Bauer because Kluber will cost twice as much in trade value or close to it. Corey has an extra year and is a better performer overall with cost-control.

Personally I think a Heaney for Bauer swap makes a lot of sense for both sides. Indians would shave about $9M off of their payroll and add a lefty to their rotation (which they do not have) with an extra year of control and the potential to extend (Trevor has Boras as his agent).

I think the Indians can do a lot better than Heaney for Bauer.  

[UndertheHalo]

Definitely Bauer.

its about as likely that we’ll get him as we’ll get Machado or Harper. 

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

Bauer as others have stated. Younger, maturing and 3 years of club control.

[ettin]

13 minutes ago, Catwhoshatinthehat said:

I think the Indians can do a lot better than Heaney for Bauer.  

Well you have to realize that Heaney costs a lot less and has an additional year of control Cat. You may want to think he doesn't have value but he actually has a lot because of those two items.

The Indians are not tearing down they are just in such a weak Division that they can afford to part with a starter in order to shave payroll and bring back pieces that have more control and can still help them compete.

Feel free to disagree but I don't think a straight swap is too far off the mark. They could always demand a mid-level prospect in addition to Andrew but their relative surplus value (Heaney/Bauer) are nearly identical (technically Andrew's is a touch higher but it is semantics: $59M vs. $56M). The Indians could certainly make a case that Trevor's high level of performance and ace-like stature should be worth more (scarcity) and I'd be okay with that as long as we are not giving up Heaney plus a guy like Suarez for example. If they threw in a guy like Leonardo Rivas or someone like that I'd be okay with it.

[ettin]

Just now, SlappyUtilityMIF said:

Bauer as others have stated. Younger, maturing and 3 years of club control.

2 years of control.

[T.G.]

Bauer since he is the better Twitter follow... does Kluber even use Twitter? 

Seriously... Bauer is younger and possibly hasn't peaked yet.  Plus there's the added bonus of the way he likes to get under the skin of the Astros'....

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

Jack Bauer the Angel's Next Best Hero!!!

[Angel Oracle]

22 minutes ago, SlappyUtilityMIF said:

Jack Bauer the Angel's Next Best Hero!!!

And he may even morph into Tom Kirkman, POTUS.