MLB Trade Rumors: Corey Kluber Available After Indians Cut Payroll, Dodgers, Phillies, Reds Interested

The Cleveland Indians are not as likely to trade Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer now that they have made a few moves to cut payroll. The team, however, is still considering dealing one of their two starters.

According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the Indians have continued to have trade talks regarding Kluber this week. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers are among teams that have expressed interest in acquiring the two-time AL Cy Young winner.

Cleveland has let teams around the league know that they’d be willing to trade one of their top pitchers in order to shed some salary. Carlos Carrasco was essentially taken off the block earlier this offseason when he signed a contract extension, making Kluber and Bauer Cleveland’s trade options.

The Indians acquired Carlos Santana and traded Edwin Encarnacion in a three-way deal with the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays. The trade saved Cleveland $4.6 million in the 2019 season.

By sending Yonder Alonso to the Chicago White Sox, the Indians saved another $8 million next year.

Kluber is owed $17.2 million in base salary next year. Bauer will probably make a little more than $11 million in arbitration.

Cleveland cruised to an AL Central title in the 2018 season, and they are looking to do the same in 2019. They don’t necessarily have to deal a pitcher because of payroll constraints and will only do a trade that makes sense.

Before arbitration, the Indians have $86.3 million committed to players next season.