Of the several talented free agent starting pitchers still on the market this offseason, few can boast the pedigree of former Indians and Rangers right-hander Corey Kluber.
The two-time Cy Young winner and 2017 MLB ERA leader has been severely limited by injuries in the last two seasons.
In 2019, Kluber suffered a fractured forearm after being hit by a comeback line drive in a game against the Marlins and later that year also dealt with an oblique strain. Last season, after a trade to Texas, he pitched just one inning before missing the rest of the abbreviated campaign with a Grade 2 teres major strain in his shoulder.
Kluber avoided major surgery and remains unsigned for the 2021 campaign, and on Wednesday, he took a big step toward finalizing his future when he participated in a showcase in front of members of “about 25 teams,” according to MLB insider Mark Feinsand.
“Those in attendance seemed impressed,” Feinsand reported. “Kluber commanded his pitches, his velocity was about where it typically is at this point, which was his fourth bullpen session.”
Kluber will turn 35 on April 10 but is certain to draw widespread interest from clubs hoping to nab the former ace for a bargain this offseason.
“It’s hard to imagine any club going beyond two years given the missed time and the sport’s revenue losses, and any multi-year offer would probably come with a relatively muted annual rate,” wrote Steve Adams for MLB Trade Rumors last October. “Speculatively, a strong one-year offer with a contender would figure to be appealing for Kluber.”
The veteran righty is expected to have a “strong market,” according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, but one team that could very well be in the mix for Kluber – the Yankees – has a leg up thanks to the hiring of Eric Cressey.
“Eric Cressey, who runs Cressey Sports Performance, was named the Yankees’ director of health and performance last offseason and is training Kluber through rehab this offseason,” Joel Sherman recently wrote for the New York Post. “Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake worked at Cressey Sports before joining the Indians as director of pitching performance in 2016 and, thus, was with Kluber for his final four Cleveland seasons.”
If the Yankees are in fact interested and Kluber does consider agreeing to a short-term pillow contract to try and reestablish his value, the partnership with Cressey could help tilt the sweepstakes in the Bronx Bombers’ favor.
Behind leading ace Gerrit Cole, the Yankees rotation could benefit from the addition of another steady veteran presence with potentially high upside entering the 2021 season as they vie for their 28th World Series championship.
There’s no telling where Kluber may land, but after his Wednesday showcase he’s now one step closer to determining his future.
For all the latest news and developments on the Yankees this offseason, be sure to tune into YES Network for the newest editions of Yankees Hot Stove airing all winter long.
