*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
They had targeted him for a few years, and now they finally have him. The Boston Red Sox and RHP Corey Kluber have agreed to a one year contract, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Red Sox have confirmed the signing.
After showing interest in him the previous two offseasons only to see him land with two division rivals, the Red Sox sealed the deal with Kluber this time, who effectively becomes a replacement for Nathan Eovaldi in the starting rotation, who signed with the Texas Rangers recently. Kluber is the first outside addition of the offseason to the Red Sox rotation in the wake of Eovaldi, Michael Wacha, and Rich Hill departing.
The contract will guarantee Kluber $10 million in 2023, with a team option for the 2024 season. If he makes 30 starts in 2023, he'll earn $12 million, and the team option will go from $11 million to $13 million. With incentives and the option, it can max out at two years and $27 million.
Kluber, a two time AL Cy Young winner, is on his 3rd AL East team in 3 years, pitching for the New York Yankees in 2021, when he threw a no hitter. He spent 2022 with the Tampa Bay Rays, staying healthy all season and making 31 starts. He also brings 3 All Star Game selections with him to Boston, from 2016-2018.
In his first fully healthy season since 2018, Kluber was a solid mid rotation arm. He ended the season with a 1.21 WHIP, 4.34 ERA, and 3.57 FIP, logging 164 innings over those 31 starts. He pitched 1 2/3 innings in the playoffs for the Rays, being on the mound for the homer that eliminated them.
Kluber has played for 4 different teams in 12 seasons, most of which was spent in Cleveland. He has amassed a 3.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 3.09 FIP, making 251 starts and 5 relief appearances while throwing 1,586 2/3 innings. In the postseason, Kluber has a 4.02 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 9 starts and one bullpen appearance, totaling 47 innings pitched.
With the Kluber addition, the Red Sox have him, Chris Sale, Nick Pivetta, Brayan Bello, James Paxton, and Garrett Whitlock as the frontrunners for the rotation, barring any further additions. Tanner Houck is reportedly also in the mix for a spot.
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