Yankees: Will Trevor Bauer meltdown cause Bombers to steer clear?

The Cleveland Indians are in the thick of the AL Central race. However, after Trevor Bauer’s meltdown on Sunday, the club could look to ship him out of town. Therefore, would the Yankees take a chance on the temperamental talent?

With Marcus Stroman headed to the Mets and the asking price for Noah Syndergaard reportedly astronomical, the available pool of starting pitchers is beginning to dry up for the Yankees.

You name the pitcher — the Yanks have been linked to him. However, how many of those men are legit game-changers that the club could comfortably throw in Game 1 of a playoff series?

Aside from Madison Bumgarner, who is supposedly no longer on the market — and is a free agent at the end of the season, perhaps the only “available” target is Trevor Bauer.

Before Sunday afternoon, the idea of acquiring Bauer seemed like a bit of a pipedream, considering the Indians are just two games behind the first-place Twins in the AL Central and hold the first Wild Card spot by three games.

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Yet, without staff ace Corey Kluber, who has been recovering from a broken forearm since early May, and Carlos Carrasco, who is battling leukemia, the Indians have pieced together a more than capable starting staff.

Naturally, the return of Mike Clevinger has come at the right time, but Shane Bieber (the All-Star Game MVP) has been a revelation. Throw in Zach Plesac, Adam Pluto and the possible return of Kluber in August — and well, now could be the ideal time to trade the lightning-rod known as Trevor Bauer.

While some teams may be put off by Bauer’s temperamental antics, which hit a fever pitch on Sunday when being taken out of the game against the Royals, the 28-year-old right-hander turned and launched the ball over the center-field wall at Kauffman Stadium.

An impressive display of arm strength, Indians manager Terry Francona was none too pleased when he reached the mound. In all fairness, Bauer did give what seemed to be a heartfelt apology after the contest, but the damage was already done.

The truth is if Bauer can keep his head on straight, he would be the top of the rotation arm the Yankees need. But after what recently transpired with Clint Frazier, would general manager Brian Cashman consider trading one potential headache for another?

Because the Yanks so severely need a pitcher and Bauer is a proven commodity, the answer should be yes!

Earlier on Sunday, Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees would be willing to trade Frazier and/or Miguel Andujar for a starter. While many fans aren’t ready to say goodbye to Andujar, considering what he did with the stick during his rookie year, perhaps Frazier and another prospect or two not named Deivi Garcia could net them Bauer. At the very least, it’s worth a conversation.