3 teams that should approach Indians about Kluber or Bauer

The writing could be on the wall for Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer, with one of the two pitchers likely to be traded before next season gets underway.

After the Indians decided Thursday to extend fellow starter Carlos Carrasco, Cleveland is reportedly motivated to deal one of the two All-Star pitchers soon.

With the trade market sizzling and the winter meetings around the corner, the two aces - both of whom finished among the top six in AL Cy Young voting in 2018 - should generate plenty of consideration from teams in need of starting pitching.

Here are three teams who are in a good position to land one of the Indians' superstar hurlers.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers head into 2019 boasting what should be one of the National League's top rotations, but after losing the World Series for a second straight season they'll need to do something to put them over the top. They've reportedly discussed Kluber with Cleveland already, offering Yasiel Puig in a potential swap.

Bauer - an L.A. native and UCLA grad - also fits in well with their front office's analytical approach to roster-building. A November report claimed the two clubs were engaged in "lots of different discussions," with Los Angeles being most interested in Cleveland's starters. The Indians could target a Dodgers outfielder such as Puig, Joc Pederson, or Alex Verdugo.

New York Yankees

After missing out on Patrick Corbin, the Yankees reportedly turned their attention to Nathan Eovaldi, J.A. Happ, and Lance Lynn, but Eovaldi fell off the board Thursday while Happ and Lynn were members of the 2018 squad that failed to advance past the ALDS and might not be enough to get them over the hump. New York general manager Brian Cashman admitted his focus during the offseason was to acquire starting pitching, and even after landing James Paxton from the Mariners, he explained he wanted at least one more starter via trade or free agency.

Bauer hasn't been linked to the Yankees but was incredible last season and fits into New York's budget (projected to earn $11.6 million through arbitration). Kluber, meanwhile, has reportedly already drawn interest from the Yankees and would provide them with another premier right-hander alongside Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka. They could dangle intriguing trade chip Sonny Gray, who is expected to be dealt before the regular season begins, in a potential trade with Cleveland.

New York Mets

Brodie Van Wagenen has already made an impression in his first month as Mets GM, acquiring Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, but he doesn't appear to be done just yet. While New York is zeroing in on Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, the club has also reportedly approached the Indians about adding Kluber to an already impressive rotation consisting of flame-thrower Noah Syndergaard and 2018 NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom.

If the Mets balk at the asking price for the two-time Cy Young winner, they could turn their attention to Bauer, who bested his teammate last season in FIP and strikeouts per nine, while averaging an AL-best 0.5 HR/9. Brandon Nimmo has been mentioned as possible trade bait in other deals involving the Mets and could fit the Indians' need for an outfielder.