Indians give Corey Kluber 5-year extension
The Cleveland Indianshave signed 2014 American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluberto a guaranteed five-year extension with two option years, the team announced Sunday.
The deal is worth $38.5 million, and the option years are for $13.5 million and $14 million, a source told ESPN. The deal also also includes escalators based on Cy Young Award finishes from 2015-18 that could increase Kluber's salary in subsequent years and could potentially make his new deal worth $77 million.
Kluber, 28, enjoyed a major breakthrough in 2014, posting an 18-9 record with a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts. He overtook Seattle's Felix Hernandez in the Cy Young race down the stretch and joined Gaylord Perry,CC Sabathiaand Cliff Lee as the fourth Indians pitcher to win the award.
"This is an exciting day for our organization, Corey and his family," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said in a statement. "In his time with us, Corey has grown into a leader in our clubhouse and an exemplary teammate. His tireless work ethic, consistent preparation and fierce competitiveness set an example for our younger players, and his presence on our team is a key reason that we are prepared to compete for a championship in 2015 and beyond."
A source confirmed the Indians have also agreed with pitcherCarlos Carrascoon a mulityear extension that runs through the 2018 season, with two club options for 2019 and 2020.
Carrasco, a five-year veteran, is coming off a year in which he logged career bests with 134 innings, 140 strikeouts and a 2.55 ERA.
Kluber broke into professional ball as a fourth-round draft pick with San Diego in 2007. The Indians acquired him in July 2010 in a three-way trade with thePadresand St. Louis Cardinals.
Kluber, who has only two years of major-league service time, agreed to a $601,000 contract with the Indians in mid-March. He was the last player on Cleveland's 40-man roster to agree to terms.
