Rangers Reportedly Agree to Deal for Former Cy Young Winner Corey Kluber
By Michael Luciano
The Texas Rangers weren't having the best week, as their brand new stadium burst into flames and they lost out on Texas native Anthony Rendon to the division rival Los Angeles Angels.
Their luck could begin to turn now, though, as it appears they are close to acquiring Corey Kluber from the Cleveland Indians. According to Jon Heyman, the Rangers are and Indians have agreed to a trade that would bring Kluber to the Lone Star State.
Kluber deal to Rangers is agreed to, pending physicals
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 15, 2019
In return for the ace, Cleveland will get a comparatively small return of part-time outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. and flamethrowing prospect Emmanuel Clase.
OF Delino DeShields Jr. and RHP Emmanuel Clase heading to #Indians for Kluber, source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 15, 2019
Kluber managed just 35.2 innings last year, and mustered just a 5.80 ERA in seven starts last season, so his value is at an all-time low.
However, over the prior six seasons in Cleveland, Kluber was arguably the most dominant starter in the American League. From 2013-2018, Kluber averaged a 2.96 ERA with a 143 ERA+ and 9.9 K/9 ratio. He won the Cy Young Award twice, including an historical 2017 season in which he went 18-4 with a 2.25 ERA and picked up 265 strikeouts.
He's a pretty impressive cherry to place on top of a very durable and low-floor rotation.
in ’19, Lynn/Minor combined to go 30-21 with a 3.63 ERA. All other #Rangers starters: 15-39, 7.22. So have added Gibson, Lyle and now if goes through Kluber. Lynn/Minor also pitched 51.5 pct of Texas’ rotation innings in 2019.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 15, 2019
Texas needed an ace to pair with lefty Mike Minor, and Kluber, should he return to the form that helped push Cleveland towards the World Series, more than suffices for a Rangers team in dire need of pitching.