The Los Angeles Dodgers can go many different routes at the moment, and that should be lining up a trade for Corey Kluber.
The next order of business for the Dodgers should be making a trade for former Cy Young winner Corey Kluber.
The Dodgers made a blockbuster trade on Friday with the Cincinnati Reds, offloading Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and Matt Kemp and gaining some financial flexibility and a pair of prospects. On the surface, the trade looks overwhelmingly in favor of the Reds, but this trade is about what it allows the Dodgers to do next.
The Cleveland Indians have been shopped Kluber all offseason and NBC LA’s Michael J. Duarte reports it would be a shocking turn if the Dodgers don’t work out a trade.
Instead of a possible signing of Bryce Harper, the Dodgers are focused on acquiring the right-hander to bolster the rotation behind Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw.
Kluber is signed for three more years and a total of $45.5 million, which is tremendous value for a pitcher of his caliber. He had a great year in 2018, going 20-7 with a 2.89 ERA in 215 innings. The righty is a veteran workhorse who can pitch in big games, which Kershaw has had a hard time doing. At this point, the Dodgers need to go all in after losing the World Series two years in a row. The time is now for the Dodgers to part with prospects and bring another ace to L.A.
Acquired in the Reds trade, Jeter Downs, is a rising prospect who could be part of a package sent to Cleveland for Kluber. The Dodgers have outfield depth despite the trading of Kemp and Puig and if they are confident they can sign Bryce Harper, they could move Alex Verdugo who could fill the void left by Michael Brantley.
A realistic deal would be Downs, Verdugo, and top catching prospect Will Smith. After that, you could add a guy down the list like Edwin Rios who is 24 and is due for some big league action. He can replace some of the production lost by Yan Gomes and Edwin Encarnacion trades.