Latest from Ken Rosenthal. Not much we didn't already know, but figured it was still worth sharing:
The high price for an Indians starter
Want Indians right-hander Corey Kluber? Think about offering a package similar to what the Pirates gave up for Chris Archer or the Red Sox gave up for Chris Sale.
Kluber has three years, $40.5 million remaining on his contract. Sale had three years, $38 million remaining when the Red Sox acquired him from the White Sox in Dec. 2016. Archer had three-plus years and $29.5 million remaining when the Pirates acquired him from the Rays last July 31.
While Kluber is the most expensive of that group, he also is the most accomplished, a Cy Young finalist in three of the past five seasons and a winner twice. Thus, the Indians might want to exceed the Yoan Moncada-Michael Kopech-plus return for Sale, and the Tyler Glasnow-Austin Meadows-Shane Baz return for Archer.
Not surprisingly, sources say the Indians are getting “hit hard” with trade inquiries for Kluber and their two other available starting pitchers — right-handers Trevor Bauer and Carlos Carrasco, both of whom are under control for two more seasons, as opposed to Kluber’s three.
The narrower window of control means the price for either Bauer or Carrasco might be lower than it is for Kluber. But in Bauer’s case, it might not be much lower; he was on a Cy Young track before he suffered a stress fracture in his right fibula on Aug. 11, and is only 27, while Kluber is 32.
Kluber has worked 1,136 2/3 innings the past five years, the most of any pitcher in the majors, including regular season and postseason. He faded in each of the past two postseasons, perhaps due to physical issues, but he is a tireless worker who stays in excellent shape. The Indians point to his resurgence in the 2018 regular season as proof that his struggles in the ‘17 Division Series against the Yankees were only temporary.
Rival clubs say the Indians rarely come off their desired price in trade discussions, so it’s possible they will not trade any of their starters this offseason. They always can try again at the non-waiver deadline, knowing righty Danny Salazar might be ready by then after missing all of last season due to shoulder issues.
Whatever they do, the Indians again will be prohibitive favorites to win the AL Central. They are open to trading a starter only because of their payroll limitations and roster needs, most notably in the outfield. Such a deal would be more painful if it actually jeopardized their chances of winning the division.