clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Corey Kluber trade talks “intense” with National League clubs, per report, and Brewers remain in mix

Indians are reportedly looking for a center fielder in return

Boston Red Sox v Detroit Tigers Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images

The Milwaukee Brewers are one of five National League teams working to acquire Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber, according to Jon Morosi.

Morosi lists the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds as additional teams that are interested in the two-time Cy Young Award Winner. The Padres are rumored to be willing to include major league talent in the deal. That, plus their wealth of minor league talent (11 players on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100), could put them as favorites to acquire Kluber.

Kluber will be 33 years old in April. He comes with three years of control. One of those years is guaranteed, the other two are team options with $1 million buyouts. Over the last five years, Kluber has only finished outside the top three in AL Cy Young Award voting once, when he finished ninth.

Morosi says that, no matter who the Indians trade with, they’ll be looking to address their center field issues. Of the teams involved, the Padres and Dodgers are the best positioned to address that need for Cleveland.