MLB rumors: Indians trading Corey Kluber? 7 reasons Yankees’ Brian Cashman should make a deal

MLB free agency begins on Saturday, November 2, 2018 (11/2/18). Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is making pitching a priority. He could try to sign Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Patrick Corbin or re-sign southpaw J.A. Happ. But Cashman might have a trade option, thanks to the Cleveland Indians.

On the day before MLB free agency begins, ESPN’s Buster Olney dropped this interesting nugget on Friday:

Faced with market constraints, the Indians will listen to trade offers for some of their veteran players this winter, according to sources. Kluber, Carrasco, Encarnacion, Gomes, etc. Lindor, Ramirez will definitely be held.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has gone on the record as saying he wants to upgrade the starting rotation for 2019.

They don’t get much better than Corey Kluber.

Should Cashman try to make a deal?

In a word, yes. And here’s why:

• Kluber is a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner (2014, 2017).
• Kluber has been an American League All-Star in each of the last three seasons
• Kluber is durable: he’s made at least 29 starts in each of the last five seasons.
• Kluber is a winner: he’s won at least 18 games in four of the last five seasons.
• Kluber can control the ballgame: he’s had an ERA of 3.14 or less in four of the last five seasons.
• Kluber is 32 years old, but only has eight years of MLB service, so his arm should have some extended life.
• Kluber is cost-controlled: his contact has team options for 2019 at $15.5 million and 2020 at $16 million.

Yankees projected 2019 roster

So you’re basically looking at Kluber as holding a two-year, $32 million contract. That’s a cheaper investment than it will take to sign someone like Patrick Corbin or J.A. Happ.

Plus, by plucking him from the Indians, the Yankees would be weakening one of their main American League rivals.

Yes, it would cost the Yankees some prospects to get Kluber, but that’s what they’re there for.

Picking up an ace on the cheap would be a wise move for general manager Brian Cashman.

Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @rosenstein73. Find NJ.com on Facebook.