Two premier pitchers will be pitching in new uniforms in 2020.
The Cleveland Indians have traded two time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers for outfielder Delino DeShields, Jr. and pitching prospect Emmanuel Clase. Kluber, 33, missed most of 2019 season after sustaining a fractured forearm on a line drive by Brian Anderson of the Miami Marlins on May 1st. In 7 starts last season, Kluber was 2-3 with a 5.80 ERA. Between 2014 and 2018, Kluber won 18 or more games four times, led the AL in complete games and shutouts thrice, led the AL in ERA in 2017, was named to 3 AL All-Star Teams and won the AL Cy Young in 2014 and 2017. In nine seasons with Cleveland, Kluber went 98-58 with a 3.16 ERA along with 1461 strikeouts in 208 appearances (203 starts). So the Rangers believe Kluber can add to those credentials.
Don't look now but the Rangers have a viable five man rotation. Kluber will be joined by holdovers Mike Minor and Lance Lynn plus free agents Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles. Who knows? Anthony Rendon might regret signing with the Angels.
As for the Indians, their team is being dismantled and they are getting much in return. DeShields is a serviceable player, but probably won't be in a Cleveland uniform for long. Clase has potential but if he's expected to fill Kluber's shoes then he is being set up to fail. Hopefully the Indians will get something more substantial when they deal Francisco Lindor.
The Arizona Diamondbacks boosted their starting rotation by signing Madison Bumgarner to a 5-year, $85 million contract. Unlike Kluber, Bumgarner has never won a Cy Young but he has three World Series rings on his pitching hand. Bumgarner, 30, has spent 11 seasons with the Giants. In 289 appearances (286 starts), Bumgarner went 119-92 with a 3.13 ERA along with 1794 strikeouts. The question remains if Bumgarner's best years are behind him. After being named to four consecutive NL All-Star teams between 2013-2016, MadBum has been mediocre. Although Bumgarner made 34 starts in 2019, he went a modest 9-9 with a 3.90 ERA. On the other hand, the D'Backs could give MadBum a new lease on life and could help them into the post-season. They didn't miss the playoffs by much in 2019 and could be a difference maker in 2020.
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