As the days tick down to Spring Training, the likelihood that the Cleveland Indians will trade Corey Kluber continues to decrease.
Throughout the offseason, the expectation was that the Cleveland Indians were going to trade one of their top starters. The Indians needed to pare down their payroll, and with the exodus of talent from the roster due to free agency, this was the time for a soft rebuild. After Carlos Carrasco signed a long term extension, it was down to Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer as to whom would be sent elsewhere.
However, that mindset may have changed. Yonder Alonso, Yan Gomes, and Edwin Encarnacion have all been traded, lessening the Indians need to trade one of their All Star pitchers. According to Jon Morosi, Kluber’s agent agrees with that thought, feeling that as Spring Training gets closer, the chances that his client are traded become more remote.
Corey Kluber’s agent, B.B. Abbott, told us on @MLBNetworkRadio last week that he believes the closer we move toward Spring Training, the less likely a Kluber trade becomes. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 6, 2019
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Keeping Kluber would help the Indians in their quest to return to the postseason in 2019. He had another dominant season, posting a 20-7 record with a 2.89 ERA and a 0.991 WHiP. In his league leading 215 innings, he struck out 222 batters with just 34 walks. Under team control through 2021 due to a pair of reasonably priced options, he is the type of top of the rotation starter than any team would covet.
However, that sentiment does not mean that Kluber, or Bauer for that matter, are a lock to remain in Cleveland. Morosi also reported that the Indians are looking to receive the type of return that the White Sox got back for Chris Sale.
Instead, at this point, it is far more likely that the Indians look to upgrade their roster as they prepare to defend the AL Central crown. They could use help in the outfield and in the bullpen, two areas that were hit hard in free agency. While moving Kluber could presumably address those needs, Cleveland would not be able to replace him in the rotation without spending more than they may be comfortable with.
With Spring Training rapidly approaching, the odds that Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber gets traded grow more remote. However, stranger things have happened, and the Indians may well get that offer they have been seeking.