BRONX, N.Y. — After finally re-signing second baseman DJ LeMahieu, the New York Yankees are reportedly turning their attention to the starting rotation.
According to a report by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Yankees are set to sign two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, Corey Kluber. Pending a physical, the deal would place Kluber in pinstripes.
Right-hander Corey Kluber and the New York Yankees are finalizing a deal that will bring the two-time AL Cy Young winner to the Bronx, pending a physical, sources familiar with the agreement tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 16, 2021
Various reports swirling had Kluber seeking a one-year contract to “re-establish” himself.
Kluber, who will turn 35 next April, has been battling back the past two years from a broken right arm and a torn right teres major muscle. Those injuries limited Kluber to eight starts between the Cleveland Indians (seven in 2019) and the Texas Rangers (one in 2020) during that time span.
According to Jon Heyman, the contract is expected to be for one-year in the $10-11 million range.
Kluber deal is indeed in $10M to $11M range with Yankees. Pending physical.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 16, 2021
At his pinnacle atop the Tribe’s rotation, Kluber earned the Cy Young in 2014 and 2017 and was a three-time All-Star from 2016 to 2018. The right-handed hurler has led the junior circuit in ERA once, games started once, complete games three times, shutouts twice and innings pitched once. Kluber posted 200+ strikeouts in a Cleveland uniform every season from 2014 to 2018 and sports a 3.16 career ERA.
In nine career postseason starts, Kluber sports a 3.97 ERA, including a 2.81 ERA in two World Series outings in 2016.
If healthy, Kluber could prove to be a steal. The Yankees are banking on Kluber and pitching coach Matt Blake rekindling that magic in the Bronx.
