The Cleveland Indians have officially traded starting pitcher Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers in exchange for outfielder Delino DeShields Jr and pitcher Emmanuel Chase. Kluber is a two-time Cy Young Award winner, taking home the award in 2014 and 2017. The Indians have also kicked $500,000 back to the Rangers to cover half of Kluber’s $1 million assignment bonus that will be paid. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the deal followed by the official announcement from John Blake, who works for the Texas Rangers public relations department.
The Rangers have acquired two-time A.L. Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber and cash considerations from Cleveland for RHP Emmanuel Clase and OF Delino DeShields. Roster is at 39.
— John Blake (@RangerBlake) December 15, 2019
In 2019, Kluber was injured and only made seven starts for the Indians. Over seven starts Kluber was 2-3 with a 5.80 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts through 35.2 innings of work. In 2018 though, in his last full season, Kluber was 20-7 over 33 starts with a 2.89 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 222 strikeouts over 215 innings pitched. The Indians are looking to shake things up, and in return, they are getting outfielder DeShields Jr. For the Rangers, DeShields Jr. managed a .249/.347/.325 with four home runs and 32 RBI while swiping 24 bases in 2019.
For the Rangers, their rotation just significantly improved with the acquisition of Kluber. The Rangers have already been starting to beef up their rotation with the signing of Kyle Gibson this offseason. The Rangers are looking to compete in the American League West division, which just saw the Los Angeles Angels sign Anthony Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million contract. The Houston Astros are still recovering from the loss of Gerrit Cole and being investigated by the MLB for the sign-stealing issues that have come about this offseason.
