They wanted to trade Bauer for less expensive players with more control.. yes, I agree with you on that.
But it was kind of a situation like Lindor the last few years, if they did not get an offer they liked, they did not
have to deal him that week. In other words, they had some flexibility, it was not like the 2003 Reds who were
dumping everyone they could, regardless of return.
Reyes was their big bat that could immediately contribute and hang around for a long time.
Sure, Puig was helpful, but if the Reds were not willing to put Puig in the deal, I am sure the Indians would have taken
someone else. The Indians were not "all in" that year.
In other words, the priority was to get long term cheap controllable help, not a one year rental in the OF.