MLB rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Corey Kluber
1. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers are in a virtual tie with the Chicago Cubs for first place in the NL Central (entering Monday), with a four-game winning streak and seven victories in their last 10 games. The Cubs have shown they are all-in for 2019, signing Craig Kimbrel to eventually bolster a shaky bullpen.
Milwaukee just got Jimmy Nelson after a year-plus absence, which should help once he works out some kinks. But the team’s ERA is middle of the road so far this season (4.48, 18th in MLB) with a starter’s ERA on par with that (4.58). Zach Davies (2.41 ERA), Brandon Woodruff (3.87 ERA) and Chase Anderson (3.80 ERA) have been good or very good, but after that it gets pretty rough in the rotation with Gio Gonzalez (arm) and Jhoulys Chacin (back) currently on the IL.
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If the Brewers had a playoff game tomorrow, Davies would probably get the start. No offense to him, but on paper they’d be at a disadvantage against teams like the Cubs and Dodgers or even the Braves and Phillies.
A move to add Kluber, even with the prevalent idea he won’t pitch for a while right now, would help even that proverbial playing field on the pitcher’s mound. To say nothing of, assuming eventual health and a typical level of performance, what Kluber could do down the stretch of the regular season.