This Dodgers-Indians Trade Involving Corey Kluber Could Actually Work

It was never truly expected that Corey Kluber would pitch for the Indians in 2020, and that hunch began to come to a head following the Winter Meetings as the trade sweepstakes surrounding the former AL Cy Young are reportedly heating up.

With the Dodgers unlikely to bring back free agent Hyun-Jin Ryu and therefore looking to bolster the middle of their rotation, it's not surprising that the club is linked with Kluber.

Los Angeles certainly flaunts the assets necessary to get a deal done, but what would be enough to convince the Indians to pull the trigger?

Keep in mind that Cleveland is reportedly actively shopping star shortstop Francisco Lindor. Pair that with the fact that they would be giving up an important part of their rotation and it's reasonable to think that the Indians would ask for infielder Michael Busch (LA's No. 8 prospect) and right-hander Michael Grove (No.14). Busch is blocked by the likes of Corey Seager, Gavin Lux and even Jeter Downs in the Dodgers infield, while Grove is 22 years old and unlikely to make much of an impact at the big league level in LA.

If the Indians look to address their aging first base and catcher situation, in which Carlos Santana (33) and catcher Roberto Perez (30) hold starting spots, they could inquire about catcher Diego Cartaya (No. 11) or No. 23 ranked first baseman Cristian Santana -- and pair one of them with a Grove or Busch.

Kluber, though still more than capable of mustering an All-Star season on the mound, will be 34 in April. The Dodgers will know better than to give up a haul of prospects for an aging arm just because they boast a win-now mentality.