By Canadian Press

AP source: Indians close to trading ace Kluber to Rangers

Dec 15, 2019 | 10:23 AM

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians are close to completing a trade that will send two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The teams have been discussing the deal and finalizing terms, said the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.

The 33-year-old Kluber has been one of the AL’s most dominant pitchers for six seasons. He won the Cy Young in 2014 and 2017.

The right-hander missed most of last season after his arm was broken by a line drive on May 1 in Miami. Kluber nearly made it back in time to help Cleveland’s playoff push but suffered an oblique injury that ended his comeback.

The Indians picked up his $17.5 million contract option for 2020 immediately after last season. His deal includes a club option for $18 million for 2021.

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A three-time All-Star, Kluber is 98-68 with a 3.16 career ERA. Before last season, he pitched at least 203 innings in each of the previous five seasons. He struck out more than 200 in each of those seasons as well.

The Indians believe the time is right to move Kluber. Cleveland has several young solid pitchers, including Shane Bieber and Mike Bieber, on its staff and can address other needs in return for Kluber.

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More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Tom Withers, The Associated Press