Rangers acquire Cy Young winner Corey Kluber from Indians

Corey Kluber led by example and excellence in Cleveland. The Texas Rangers are hoping he can do the same for them.

The Indians traded the two-time Cy Young Award winner – and their unquestioned ace – over the past six seasons to the Rangers on Sunday, a blockbuster deal that could dramatically change both teams.

In exchange for the 33-year-old Kluber, Cleveland received outfielder Delino DeShields and pitching prospect Emmanuel Clase, a hard-throwing 21-year-old with huge potential.

The stoic and steady Kluber has been one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers since 2014, when he went 18-9 and got his first Cy Young. He got his second in 2017, going 18-4 and leading the AL with a 2.25 ERA.

But his future with the money-conscious Indians grew more unclear last season when the club managed to stay in the playoff chase until late September despite not having him after May 1.

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Kluber broke his right forearm when he was struck by a line drive during a start at Miami and never made it back.

He came close to returning to the Indians’ rotation but suffered an oblique injury during a minor league rehab appearance 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.

A three-time All-Star, Kluber went 98-58 with a 3.16 ERA over his nine seasons with the Indians. But beyond his impressive stats, Kluber showed Cleveland’s young pitchers what it took to be a professional with his diligent training regimen and meticulous preparation for every start.

The Indians believe the time is right to move Kluber. Cleveland has several young solid pitchers, including Shane Bieber and Mike Clevinger, on its staff and have other big needs.

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