MLB trade rumors: Yankees, Indians talking Corey Kluber deal? Mariners' James Paxton also available?

by Felix Pantaleón

The Cleveland Indians are looking to shed payroll. New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is looking for starting pitching. Could he make a deal for Indians ace and two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber?

On Friday, Nov. 2, one day before the start of MLB free agency, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported the Cleveland Indians were looking to sell off some major parts:

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.

On Tuesday, Yahoo’s Jeff Passan reported the Seattle Mariners could be in a similar position:

Sources: The Mariners are considering a full-fledged teardown this winter. If trade market is strong, they’ve told teams they’re willing to move just about anyone. And if that happens, they have indicated they’re willing to wait a few years to build a competitive team again.

Now, blowing things up in Seattle is subject to return. Jean Segura’s no-trade would need to be worked around. Return for Mitch Hanover, James Paxton and Edwin Diaz would need to be massive. But Mariners are in that awful no-man’s land where they’re good but not good enough.

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What that means is two of the best pitchers in the American League could be available through a trade: Indians ace Corey Kluber and Mariners left-hander James Paxton.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has gone on the record as saying he wants to upgrade his starting rotation with at least two arms.

Fancred’s Jon Heyman put one and one together on Tuesday:

Yankees have interest in Kluber, Carrasco and Paxton in addition to free agent targets Corbin, Happ and CC. NYY meeting with at least Indians today.

Indians want to pare 145M payroll (high for them). Kluber as very late bloomer signed reasonable contract, but high $4M Cy Young escalators raise what started as $13.5M average salary over next/last 3 years (last 2 years are team options)

Kluber is a two-time AL Cy Young Award winner (2014, 2017). The 32-year-old is under team control for the next two seasons, per Spotrac. His contact has team options for 2019 at $15.5 million and 2020 at $16 million. Kluber has won at least 18 games in four of the last five seasons.

Heyman also reports the Mariners are ready to wheel and deal:

Sounds now like Mariners intend to hold onto Haniger, Diaz and Gonzalez. Word is: “Everyone else is up for grabs.”

The 30-year-old Paxton (his birthday is Tuesday) has a career ERA of 3.42 over six seasons, during which he’s made 102 starts. Paxton, like Kluber, is under team control for the next two seasons. According to Spotrac, Paxton is arbitration-eligible in 2019 and 2020.

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

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