Email a copy of 'Extension Candidate: Corey Kluber' to a friend
Loading ...
By Jeff Todd | at
Email a copy of 'Extension Candidate: Corey Kluber' to a friend
MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com
hide arrows scroll to top
Daniel Rajan
Anybody remember the time the Angels almost traded Mark Trumbo for Corey Kluber? Man, he would have helped us out a lot. Hurts even more now that Wilson is struggling and Skaggs is done for the year.
Steve A
Those were just internet rumors.
Metsfan93
I’d say a 5/35 deal could be good for both sides.
TheRealRyan 2
I just don’t know if I see this extension working out. If I was the Indians, I see him as already old and not wanting to pay him coming off of an ace type season without ever really having the pedigree to back up this season’s fantastic numbers. If I was Kluber, I’m not sure if I want to cash in my only real opportunity at a big pay day by giving in and taking a discounted rate, especially after putting up ace type numbers. I could easily see both sides feeling comfortable riding out the arbitration process here.
AmericanMovieFan
He’s 28, meaning he’s just now hitting his stride. If he’s the real deal to any extent, he’s probably going to pitch at this level for another 4-6 seasons, but you don’t get an extension without either letting him hit F/A on time, or extending him well into F/A at fair rates. So with that in mind, and given that he doesn’t hit arbitration until after next season, if I’m the Indians I offer him this extension right now:
2015: $1MM Age 29
2016: $4MM Age 30
2017: $7MM Age 31
2018: $10MM Age 32
2019: $13MM Age 33
2020: $13MM Age 34
2021: $16MM Age 35 OPTION w/ $3MM buyout
2022: $20MM Age 36 OPTION w/ $5MM buyout
That’s a potential total of 8 years/$84MM with 6 years/$51MM guaranteed, or 7 years/$69MM if the 2nd option is bought out.
The way I see it: It makes Kluber rich, it’s very cost effective for the Indians and by the 2020’s, a guy making $16.4MM AAV will be viewed like we currently view guys making $12-14MM today, meaning he’d either be a bargain or fairly priced.
Vandals Took The Handles
Kluber is very possibly the best pitcher in the entire AL, and you and to pay him 1M next year?
TheNextEpstein
Yes, he’s not even arbitration eligible until 2016. Therefore, you don’t have to pay him anymore than the minimum. Club has all the leverage.
AmericanMovieFan
The idea is you give him so much money at a time when he wouldn’t be making any or when there’s no guarantees, that he can’t turn it down. So if he goes 80-50-30 over the next five seasons, you’re getting him for a very reasonable ROI.
BTW- 6 years/$51MM with some options isn’t ridiculous for the Indians. Now, I could see them limiting themselves to his pre-F/A/ seasons and wanting some cost-control and nothing more.
In that case:
4 years/$30MM with no options.
2015: $2.5MM
2016: $5MM
2017: $7.5MM
2018: $15MM
I think Kluber would agree to that as it makes him rich and gives him decent value for a guy who has yet to even reach arbitration.
TheNextEpstein
Seems reasonable. I would think the Indians would make the 2019 and 2020 seasons options though instead of guarantees looking at the extensions they gave brantley and kipnis.
Karl Larson
Keep in mind that Phil Hughes just got a 5 yr/$58 million extension from the Twins.
2015: $9,200,000 (Age 29)
2016: $9,200,000 (30)
2017:$13,200,000 (31)
2018:$13,200,000 (32)
2019:$13,200,000 (33)
This will be an interesting comparison to draw from for a potential Kluber extension.
AmericanMovieFan
This was done post-FA though and done in a way to keep his contract somewhat club friendly. Kluber is in no way in a similar situation. If he goes 16-11 next season, you’re still looking at a massive first year arbitration settlement. If he went year to year he’d probably lock down $35M over 3 years.
Curt Green
Get it done. One less arm the Yankees or Dodgers or Red Sox or Tigers can sign down the road.
Sufferfortribe
Tribe needs to extend Klubot. That way, when he wins the Cy Young award, they won’t have to trade him like they did Lee and Sabathia.
Kenmore resident
Awesome to think that they go thim for Austin Kearns….From the Yankees!!!!! Bet their kicking themselves now.
christopher 2
I dont really see any chance Kluber gets a multi year extension at all……it will be a year at least before Cleveland has any incentive to get anything done…..
BananaMonster
I just get this feeling they need to wait it out and go year to year with him. If he gets too pricey at least you have great trade value. If you keep him at whatever cost you could shovel out $16M or so for his age 32 season but small markets can’t afford big money to bad players
Eric Clark
Seeing the Tim Lincecum and Johan’s of the world collect 20 mil a year is crazy while guys like Kluber and Alex Cobb eat Chunky soups for dinner every night.. Its like a CEO earning less than his secretary, just because the secretary held the job longer.