A smart buy-low opportunity is staring the Yankees in the face.
As teams get set to watch Corey Kluber’s showcase this week, the Yankees (assuming the 34-year-old shows some decent stuff for a bevy of scouts in attendance) should take the leap and sign the two-time American League Cy Young winner.
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Here’s why.
Potential upside: At one point not too long ago, Kluber was one of the five best pitchers on the planet. From 2014-2018, Kluber posted a 151 ERA+, 5.51 SO/BB, and owned a 2.83 FIP while becoming one of just 21 pitchers in baseball history to win at least two Cy Youngs. To put those numbers into perspective, here’s how Mets star (and the current best pitcher in baseball) Jacob deGrom has performed over the last five seasons: 153 OPS+, 4.98 SO/BB, 2.78 FIP. The numbers and dominance are almost identical. It’s foolish to expect greatness from Kluber off two lost seasons, but there’s no reason the veteran can’t be effective again.
Fluky injuries: The pitcher known as the Klubot for his steely demeanor and durability has suddenly been unable to stay on the mound in recent years, but let’s pause before simply calling him cooked. In 2019, Kluber suffered a forearm injury when hit by a comebacker on the mound and then pulled a muscle in his side almost immediately upon returning after months of rehab. Two fluky, non-throwing injuries. In 2020, Kluber tore a muscle in his shoulder after just one inning with the Texas Rangers. The latter is concerning, but it’s not back-to-back years of elbow or shoulder injuries.
Yankees connections: The Yankees hired Eric Cressey to oversee strength and training this offseason. One of Cressey’s clients: Kluber. There’s a relationship here that can’t be discounted, especially as Kluber trusts his body and drive back to the mound.
Plus, there’s Matt Blake. The Yankees pitching coach came from the Cleveland Indians, where he served as assistant director of pitching development from 2016-2018. Blake was there (and likely a big part of) Kluber’s prime with the Indians.
Fits in tight budget: If healthy and coming off star-caliber seasons, Kluber could demand (and likely earn) more than $20M on the open market. But that’s not reality right now for a pitcher that’s thrown just 36.2 innings over the last two seasons. As the Yankees seemingly do everything they can to stay under the luxury tax for the 2021 season, this matters. Kluber could end up providing big value for a fraction of that cost. Perhaps a two-year, $12M deal with incentives baked in could be how a signing happens.
All business: Something tells me that Kluber would fit into the Yankees clubhouse. If your memory is fuzzy, go check out any big game that the former Cleveland star pitched during his time there. There’s almost a snarl on the mound. His eyes were locked in, similar to how ex-Yankee Andy Pettitte would look on the mound in big games.
Aaron Judge burns to win. As does Gerrit Cole. Manager Aaron Boone has that kind of personality. Kluber would fit in with an all-business Yankees clubhouse.
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Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com.
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