Jake Bauers Got Traded, Drove From Cleveland To Meet His New Team In Detroit

After being designated for assignment June 5, Indians first baseman Jake Bauers was traded to the Mariners for cash considerations. Since the drive from Cleveland to Detroit -- where the Mariners would play their series finale -- is just under three hours, Bauers drove.

"As opposed to hopping on a flight and going through all that (COVID protocols), I just thought it'd be easier to drive up this morning and then drive back," he said. "Obviously, we're headed there right after the game, and then I can get everything packed up and move on."

Bauers was hitting just .211 on the young season, but the sure-handed first baseman is expected to get some burn with the Mariners. Early reports say he'll be platooned with current Mariners starting first baseman Ty France until the usual starter, Evan White, returns from injury.

"He's a natural first baseman, but he has played outfield as well," manager Scott Servais said during today's game against the Tigers. The Tigers are currently winning, 8-3. "He's got a good throwing arm. He's a good defender. Obviously, he's a left-handed bat and we are overloaded with left-handed bats right now. But that's just where we're at this moment in time. We'll get some guys healthy, balance it out here soon."

He's another body, really

Right now, the Mariners have a surplus of solid defensive players struggling at the plate. Jake Bauers, who managed to play in today's loss, went 1-3 with an RBI single.

Maybe he is a fit?