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Report: Kluber trade talks have intensified; Dodgers involved

David Maxwell / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Trade talks surrounding Cleveland Indians two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber have intensified, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the teams involved, Morosi reports. Kluber has been heavily linked to the Dodgers throughout the offseason; L.A. was previously reported to have discussed a Kluber deal with Cleveland, possibly involving outfielder Yasiel Puig.

A source told Morosi that Cleveland has interest in outfielder Alex Verdugo, the Dodgers' No. 1 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

Verdugo, 22, has amassed a .240/.309/.360 slash line in 52 big-league games over the past two seasons, but he's also spent much of that time in Triple-A as the Dodgers' glut of outfielders have kept him from winning a full-time job. The Indians have a major need in the outfield, and Verdugo would be a controllable piece who's yet to amass one year of MLB service time - and someone that the Dodgers could likely afford to part with.

Other teams that could be involved are the Atlanta Braves, who were said to have checked in with Cleveland on Monday.

Cleveland is reportedly motivated to move either Kluber - who has three years of team control remaining - or Trevor Bauer this winter after signing Carlos Carrasco to a contract extension last week.

The 32-year-old Kluber has spent his entire career with the Indians, where he's helped deliver three straight AL Central titles while winning a pair of Cy Young awards.

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