Report: Indians, Kluber 'not close' in contract talks
The Cleveland Indians and ace Corey Kluber reportedly remain far apart in their efforts to strike a long-term contract extension.
Kluber, whose dominance was rewarded last year with the AL Cy Young Award, is under club control for the next four seasons and isn't eligible for free agency until 2019.
The 27-year-old right-hander is said be open to an extension prior to entering his arbitration years, though the two sides failed to make progress in talks after meeting last week in Arizona, a source told Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The source described the negotiations as "not close" between the Indians and Kluber's agent, B.B. Abbott.
Coming to terms on a long-term deal would be a show of good faith from the team to Kluber, who led all AL pitchers with 7.2 wins above replacement (FanGraphs) in 2014.
Kluber, who threw a career-high 235 2/3 innings last season, is set to earn $601,000 this season after receiving a modest bump from last year's league minimum.
HEADLINES
- Cy Young rankings: Fresh faces lead way in competitive early field
- Melvin unhappy with Giants' play: 'We're playing terribly'
- Cease: Last year with White Sox 'wasn't enjoyable in really any way'
- Keller stellar in complete-game gem to lead Pirates past Angels
- Wheeler strikes out 11 as Phillies complete 4-game sweep of Giants