Indians Expected To Trade Corey Kluber Or Trevor Bauer, Dodgers Might Be Best Trade Partner

The Cleveland Indians could be the next team to trade an All-Star during the 2018 MLB offseason. According to multiple reports, the organization has ramped up their quest to move either Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer.

It’s been reported for weeks that the Indians want to deal one of their top three starting pitchers. Carlos Carrasco was removed from the equation Thursday when the veteran agreed to a contract extension that could keep him in Cleveland through the 2022 season.

The Indians could receive a lot in return for one of their available starters. They were both among the American League’s best pitchers in 2018 with Kluber finishing third in the AL Cy Young race and Bauer coming in sixth place. Kluber ranked fourth among AL pitchers with a 5.9 WAR and Bauer was right behind in fifth at 5.8.

Kluber, 32, will make between $17 million and $18 million in each of the next three seasons. That might be considered a bargain for a pitcher that has two Cy Young awards over the last five years to go along with third-place finishes in 2016 and 2018.

Bauer, 27, has two years left of arbitration before hitting free agency in 2020, though his yearly salary could end up being around what Kluber will make. He could be on his way to becoming the AL’s best pitcher after posting a 2.21 ERA with 221 strikeouts in 175.1 innings last season.

The New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers have been among the teams that have reportedly had trade discussions with Cleveland. The Dodgers might be the trade partner that makes the most sense for the Indians since they have a surplus of outfielders that can help fill one of Cleveland’s needs. Outfielder Michael Brantley appears likely to leave the Indians in free agency.

The Yankees are looking to upgrade their rotation after missing out on Patrick Corbin in free agency. The Mets might be a dark-horse candidate to acquire one of the Indians’ starters since the team appears to be in “win-now” mode after trading for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz.

Cleveland is expected to only trade one of their pitchers. Fancred’s Jon Heyman has reported that some rival general managers believe Bauer is more likely to be dealt because he is owed less money than Kluber.

The Indians have not decided to rebuild like the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks, who are trading away their best players. Cleveland still has plans to compete for a World Series championship in 2019 after cruising to the AL Central title in 2018.