The starter-needy Red Sox are showing interest in free-agent right-hander Corey Kluber, per Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Kluber, who’s coming off an injury-wrecked season, could start throwing bullpen sessions this month after suffering a Grade 2 teres major strain, Morosi adds.
As a two-time Cy Young winner who fell on difficult times during the previous two seasons, the soon-to-be 35-year-old Kluber looks like an intriguing buy-low candidate. The former Indian missed almost all of 2019 after suffering a fractured forearm, and this past season’s shoulder problems with the Rangers limited him to one appearance and one inning. The Rangers then declined Kluber’s $18MM option for 2021 in favor of a $1MM buyout.
Despite Kluber’s recent hardships, it isn’t hard to see the appeal. The last time he was healthy, in 2018, Kluber fired 215 innings of 2.89 ERA/3.12 FIP ball with 9.29 K/9 and 1.42 BB/9. His 92 mph-plus fastball velocity hasn’t abandoned him since then, so it would be easy for any team to dream on Kluber returning to form on an affordable, short-term contract.
The Red Sox need all the help they can get in their rotation, as ace Chris Sale is still working back from Tommy John surgery and No. 2 Eduardo Rodriguez missed all of 2020 because of issues stemming from COVID-19 and myocarditis. Without those two around, Boston’s rotation sputtered to a 5.34 ERA/5.50 FIP. The team’s top healthy candidates slated to return include Nathan Eovaldi, Tanner Houck and Nick Pivetta, but no member of that trio has a track record that’s nearly as impressive as Kluber’s.
Let’s go Yankees
Where are they going?
Apparently where the Red Sox are not – the postseason!
And how many World Series have they won…. this century?
You need a calculator? I know the schools there are pretty bad, and you guys didn’t have to worry about counting them at all for 100 years!
BTW, which position in last place will you finish this year? Trick question! Last place!
Yankee fans are snarky, cranky, arrogant, …….. most people don’t hate the Yankees, they hate the fans.
Yankees fans YOU did not win anything. The team on the field …. oh didn’t win either….lmao
Your governor is so stupid he sent positive covid patients back to their nursing homes…why? Did he INTEND to kill more people? Then you all support him and say he is a great governor???????
DHS79
Lol. RSox are a great, long time Franchise ( ditto Chi, St Louis, LAD), but your fandom leaves a lot to be desired. Grow up a little and act like you’ve been there before.
Like the arrogant fans in the Bronx? Red Sox fans in recent years have in some cases been over the top but why is that? Maybe because of the abuse they took leading up to 2004.
I heard your muthas sick
pro tip for Yankees fans: endlessly running your mouth about “27 rings” when you’ve been alive for like 5 of them is not “acting like you’ve been there before”
Kluber is 2 years removed from being a great pitcher. It’s a total roll of the dice on the guy at this point.
Fred McGriff@, I was thinking the exact same thing reading this article. I mean seriously, the last time he was a reliable pitcher was 2 years ago. Even though he was amazing, injuries have put him on the shelf and who’s to say he can come back? Big Time gamble in my opinion .. the salary better be real low. It’s possible the guy doesn’t pitch at all, when considering the last couple years.
definitely a gamble but considering our existing internal options, it’s a gamble I’m totally fine taking.
Its funny after all these years, Morosi still makes a career off these useless X Team is interested in whoever reports.. when he doesnt break anything.
Heyman and Morosi are awful compared to Passan and Rosenthal
I mean its a rumors site, so I get why Morsoi gets posted.. Arent people on to his act by now? None of his team is interested garbage reports ever amount to anything.
The worst is Nightengale.
I mean come on Connor Byrne added it to this site. I am thankful he is off the “ Toronto is interested agenda” and on to the Red Sox.
Kluber is a former Indian. So is Shapiro and Atkins. There could be interest within a day or two coming out. So much for being thankful…
Heyman is an obvious hack for Boras. He always pimps Boras clients, always throws out that “mystery team” story to try and help his boss get a team to bid against itself.
I believe Morosi went to Harvard U. If you don’t realize that Harvard pumps out grads that make tons of money by telling us nothing by now……..
Wow, that is actually a really good fit. I never thought of that, but now that I have, I love the idea. Make it happen Boston!
What is the great fit? BOS needs pitching. Kluber is a pitcher.
Yes
Actually I thought the same thing. AL, doesnt have to hit. Bout a 3 hour flight from Boston to his hometown of Alabama and his alma mater in Florida. Storied franchise. The glaring need for a starter with an already bloated payroll. Let him live will ya
No one shall live! No soup for you! Come back, one year!
At least we got 1 good inning out of him
*Scoreless* lmao
I’m guessing SOMEBODY is going to get Kluber at a decent price, and will have a VERY determined player on their roster…
You’re talking about Kluber and who else? The determined player, I mean…
Yankee Clipper, That’s no way to talk about a former cy young award winner…. C.C. Sabathia would be ashamed of you
Kluber would have a battle for Opening Day Starter with…..well…..uhm…..no one……
Angels need to sign this guy.
Klubot can be changed to Klubawt
Time to re-bulk the rotation.
I had no idea that Kluber makes his home in the Greater Boston area (per Morosi’s article). Provided he can show that he’s healthy, this makes all the sense in the world for both Boston and the Kluber family. Hopefully he can start throwing soon to prove he’s back and then Chaim needs to strike quickly if he is. I’d take Kluber at 75% of his normal effectiveness over just about any of the other FA pitchers who will sign for $10M or less. He can either be a placeholder for Bryan Mata (2022 – long term) or if he’s not effective, he can be a placeholder for Sale until he gets back, then they can move him to the bullpen. I’d assume the deal would only need to be for $4M-$5M in base salary with another $5M-$6M+ in incentives. Maybe it could max out as high as $15M in total compensation but if he hits all of those incentives he’d be well worth that amount (Charlie Morton money).
I don’t see anyway the Sox go over 3.5 million on a 1 yr deal. Ain’t happening. Bloom hasn’t started his dumpster diving yet.
Why not? It makes sense to overpay on a one or two year deal.
Chris Young just walked away from the Mets. He can probably still soff toss
Long live Bob Tewksbury!
I bet you Tim Wakefield could still run out there and throw some knucklers for the Sox and be one of their best pitchers again. I couldn’t stand it when we faced that guy.
I always liked Bob Tewksbury for some reason. Always hoped he would sign with the Red Sox but it was never meant to be
Tewksbury is from Concord, NH and still lives in NH. He’s also a decent artist. When he wasn’t fighting injuries he was ridiculously good. Came in 3rd for Cy Young one year. Like Wakefield he is very philanthropic. Class acts.
Kluber would be a good low risk rotation replacement for Perez. I think a one year deal for just north of 10 mill with a player option is about what he’ll sign for considering he’s coming off injury and he’s not quite near what he was during his CY Young years anymore
I think the Yankees should take a chance on both Kluber or Lester or possibly Hand for the BP.
I’d probably die as a Sox fan if the Yanks added another all star caliber player to that bullpen lmao
Let the NYY continue to pour money into their BP. They finished 9th in the AL in BP ERA in 2020, and 5th in 2019, despite spending a ton of money on the BP.
I’m not very high on Lester.
Definitely like Kluber & Hand. I think Kluber is going to have a good season next year. Probably not Cy Young level?
But good.
Love to see the Yanks sign him. Maybe he’d like to work with Blake again. He knows how to pitch. And one tough SOB. Mercy. Have you seen the video where his forearm is broken?
Dude doesn’t even blink, man.
Yankees….need….reliable…pitching. No more low-buy candidates. Either way, I have seen nothing at all coming across outside of peripheral interest articles. They need to get going or they could lose pretty big this offseason discussing how not to lose this offseason.
No argument from me, @clip.
The Yanks also simply need volume in their staff. 3 arms at least, & I can see an argument for even up to 5. If the Yankees brought back Tanaka and signed…I dunno Hill *and* Kluber that might work out.
I’m not necessarily advocating for that? Certainly not that specific group of players. But considering the sheer number of pitchers the Yankees need I’m open to a lot of guys.
Kluber as the Big Get?
Jeeez, I sure hope not.
Kluber as part of a series of moves?
Yeah, maybe.
Ya know?
@Ducky, agreed. The Yankees right now have Cole at #1 and Montgomery at #5. I wouldn’t have an issue if they gave Kluber a shot at one of the three open rotation spots, but they’ll need to solidify #2 and #3.
Pretty much how I see it, as well @lordd99.
I guess the Yanks could hope Monty can slide up to #4 (not completely unreasonable) & go internal with the 5th spot?
Meaning Garcia, Schmidt, German, et al.
That leaves a *minimum* of two open spots. (This doesn’t even get into the pen where Dellin’s loss was never adequately – or indeed at all – addressed & Tommy Tightpants is lost.)
This is an excellent free agent market for relievers & position player depth. Not so much for starters. Bauer is the Best Thing but he’s also far from a Sure Thing. Ya know? This presents kind of an issue for the Yanks as we have *three* starters whom are free agents & Sevi out w/ TJS.
That’s a problem. Not an easily solvable one either, uh? Every single pitcher on the market comes with blemishes & questions.
Guess we’ll see how good Cashman still is, man. He has to rebuild the rotation, augment the bullpen, & plug a hole in the middle infield – at the very *least*!
If he actually has to stay under 210 there is simply no way that the Yanks bring back a stronger club than the previous iteration.
Ya know?
If I’m Kluber, I’m looking for a good team but also a fairly neutral park if I’m going in on a one-year deal trying to rebuild value. I’d probably stay clear of places like Fenway. Yankee Stadium too, although he’d at least have a good team around him that will contend and they generally always have a plus bullpen.
Minnesota would be a nice neutral place with a team that has a good offense and a chance to win. Not sure they’re in the market though. Angels might be another option based on the park, although the team hasn’t been good. The A’s have a good park to pitch in and are usually in contention. San Diego lost Clevinger, so that would be a good landing spot.
Agreed. I’d avoid the bandboxes on NY and Boston, try to find a solid defense and neutral ballpark.
Doubt Red Sox would be looking at a one year deal. It will be rebuild year, so they would want a longer commitment. . Question is, is Kluber looking for a one-year make good contract for bigger payday or more security in 2 or 3 year deal.
Rebuilding teams love signing players to 1 year deals…hell they don’t even care if they finish the 1 year in their uniform if they can get some prospects for a bounce back candidate like Kluber
Yeah, those are all good fits, @lord99.
In general, I agree with the thinking that pitchers who want to restore their value should shy away from the AL East.
I’m not sure Kluber necessarily fits into that specific category though. He’s won a couple of Cy Young’s & he’s made almost 61 mil in his career. Money is *always* a consideration – & rightly so! – but I’d expect him to be pretty interested in winning at this point in his career, too.
Ya know?
Good luck with Minnesota.
2 year deal please. 2022 is looking okay if it’s a two-year deal.
E-Rod, Sale, Kluber, Eovaldi, Houck, Pivetta, maybe Groome or another FA signing.
Would love to see the Eovaldi contract off the books somehow.
We’re not sure he can pitch at all, and you want to give him a 2-year deal?
The last time he pitched well was in September 2018. By the time April 2021 rolls around, that will be a 2.5 year gap between throwing good pitches. And he’ll be 35 year’s old.
lets hope Chaim makes a competitive offer and lures him in on a 1 year deal. be even better if they land Bauer. then, Kluber would be pitching in the middle of the rotation where he could benefit from a little extra run support. imagine that rotation with those two and a healthy Sale, ERod, and Eovaldi. maybe see if Treinen can be had on a 2 year deal, then we’re cookin.
Considering the market and his track record, I’d take the risk on a one or two year deal.
The way teams toss money around signing Kluber for something modest would be well worth the gamble, when healthy he was one of if not the best in the A.L. If he would take 10-12 million it could be a steal.
As a Brave fan Kluber is certainly worth what Smyly received…. 11 million for one year.
Saw that picture and wondered when Kluber pitched for the mid-80s Royals!
2018 is starting to look like a long time ago. Kluber has been hurt for basically two years now.
This is his last shot at a decent deal. If he gets hurt again he might as well pack it in. Maybe they can give him some of what Papi took and he’ll stay healthy.
On a minor league contract or a heavily incentive laden contract why not? If he’s going to seek what he got last year then pass
The Red Sox should. With E-Rod, Sale, Kluber and Eovaldi they could sell them as the Tiny Tim rotation. It is just a matter of time before they are all on crutches.
Goose – yes, so they can hang out with Stanton and Judge and the other 4 DHs on the Yankees on the DL/IL……lmao
Hey maybe they could do a charity tournament… like Sox v. Yankees – disabled games or some such. They’ll each have 9 by the end of ST on the IL.
He’ll fit in well with Sale on the DL
Kluber is just two years removed from being an elite pitcher, but then a bad injury made a lot of people forget about him and now he kind of flies under the radar with all these super-talented pitchers in the league. I think the Rockies would be the best fit, but for a team that has money to spend on him the Angels, Red Sox, and Padres would all fit in well.
No pitcher on the planet is a fit for the Rockies.
I would rather Kluber than Bauer. I don’t trust Bauer. Kluber could be low risk high reward and could have shades of his former self. Would be worth a one or two year deal.
Redsox need to fork up a little more money and get more of a reliable pitcher Tanaka. Kluber is better but too many question marks surrounding him going to a redsox rotation riddled with question marks
Really they need Tanaka and kluber if they expect to compete next season
I think a lot of you are underestimating the combination of injury and age.
Since 2015, these are the pitchers aged 36-38, that have had 2 fWAR seasons:
2016-Lackey 2.9
2017-Hill 2.3
2018-Sabathia 2.2
2019-Verlander 6.4, Wainwright 2.2
So you start off with the fact that 36 year old pitchers are generally a bad bet, and compounding that with the fact that he will have pitched well in 2.5 years by the time April rolls around.
I’d bet real money that Rich Hill has a higher WAR this year. While anything can happen, they usually don’t.
This is a guy I want the Yanks to jump on. Low risk contract and see if he can regain somewhat of his form from the past. Cole at the top and a half decent Kluber is a scary 1-2
My god, stay young….
Kluber’s 35 years-old?! I can’t remember him hitting FA before, and if you had asked me this morning, I would have guessed 29-30, playing out a contract that bought out his arbitration years and extended a year or two.
It ain’t my money. Go for it.