MLB rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Corey Kluber

2. Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays are tied atop the AL East with the New York Yankees entering Monday, with the best team ERA in MLB (2.93) spread nicely between starters (MLB-best 2.53 ERA) and the bullpen (3.29 ERA, second-best in MLB). Yet, with pitching not a real need, there’s a case to make a deal for Kluber.

The Rays have to do business in an incredibly frugal fashion compared to most other teams, which means keeping cost-certain talent in the mix as long as possible. That most directly means being protective of top prospects and the farm system as a whole, in order to keep that pipeline of young talent full.

But with whatever’s left of Kluber’s salary this year as the only real commitment to him, he is essentially talent with a big measure of cost certainty that’s in a team’s control for the next two years.

That should be right up Tampa Bay’s alley, and they may be able to get the Indians to cover some of that remaining salary by offering a slightly better prospect. In the race to the top of the AL East, with the Red Sox lingering too, the Rays can also take a starting pitcher trade target off the table for the Yankees.

Even if they have to wait for Kluber to be ready to pitch, having him for the stretch drive might be what helps push the Rays over the top.