Should the Cleveland Indians decide to trade starting pitcher Trevor Bauer by the July 31 deadline, the San Diego Padres will be a potential landing spot, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com.

Of course, with the surging Indians now boasting a record of 56-40 and sitting just three games behind the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central, it wouldn't make much sense for them to sell, which is why they would want major-league talent in return if they move Bauer.

Cleveland would likely seek an impact hitter as compensation.

The main issue with Bauer is his salary. He is making $13 million this year, but next season, he is due for a rather significant increase in salary arbitration for 2020, and with the Indians owning a $17.5 million club option on Corey Kluber, Cleveland could end up paying in the neighborhood of $45 million for Bauer, Kluber and Carlos Carrasco next year.

That would be around one-third of the Indians' projected $120 million payroll for 2020.

So, there is a world in which it would make sense for Cleveland to trade Bauer, so long as it received a package in which it could still contend this year while also clearing money for the future.

That being said, with the Indians' starting rotation being ravaged by health issues, with Kluber out due to a forearm injury and Carrasco sidelined due to a bout with leukemia, it might not be all that wise for Cleveland to sacrifice one of its best starters.

On the season, Bauer has gone 9-7 with a 3.67 ERA, allowing 115 hits while striking out 170 batters over 144.1 innings of work. He has spent the last seven years with the Indians, making the All-Star team in 2018.