Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians Agree To One-Year Deal

Corey Kluber, Indians’ agree to one-year deal. Is a long-term extension next?

On the deadline day for pre-arbitration players to come to terms with their clubs, the Cleveland Indians and reigning AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber agreed to a one-year deal, financial terms not yet disclosed. He is under team control through 2018, and becomes arbitration eligible next season.

The two sides are open to a long-term deal, and could still have an extension in place before the season begins. Kluber will be in line for a solid contract following his breakout 2014 in which he burst onto the scene and earned the Cy Young Award.

Kluber posted an 18-9 record in 34 starts, with a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts. Those numbers are good enough to join the likes of Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson as the only pitchers since 1987 to post 18 wins, a sub 2.50 ERA and 260 strikeouts.

The achievement has happened only three times in the Indians history, one that contains some great names. Most recently Luis Tiant in 1968, and prior to that, Bob Feller in 1946.

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With the signing, all 23 pre-arbitration eligible players on the Indians 40-man roster are now signed.

Last season, the Tribe reached one-year deals with Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis before agreeing to six-year extensions prior to Opening Day.  Kipnis has a club option for 2020 and Gomes has club options for 2020-21.

Adding Kluber to that duo, as well as having Michael Brantley and prospect Francisco Lindor on the way bodes well for the Indians’ future.