The Cleveland Indians have locked up two valuable pieces of their starting staff long-term, giving long term deals to 2014 AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. The following press releases are from the team.
Indians sign RHP Corey Kluber to 5-year contract
2014 A.L. Cy Young Award recipient inked thru 2019
CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed RHP COREY KLUBER to a five-year Major League contract thru the 2019 season with club options for 2020 and 2021.
Kluber, 28, is coming off one of the best seasons in Indians history by a starting pitcher, going 18-9 in 2014 with a 2.44 ERA in 34 starts (235.2IP, 207H, 64ER, 14HR, 51BB, 269SO). He finished tied for 1st in the American League in wins (18) and starts (34), 2nd in strikeouts (269, 6th-most in single-season club history) and 3rd in ERA (2.44) and innings pitched (235.2).
He became just the fourth Major League pitcher since 1987 to post 18 wins, a sub-2.50 ERA while recording at least 260 strikeouts, joining Bob Feller (1946) and Luis Tiant (1968) in Indians history and Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens in the last 28 seasons. Following the season he became the fourth Cleveland Indians pitcher to earn the American League Cy Young Award, joining Gaylord Perry (1972), CC Sabathia (2007) and Cliff Lee (2008).
Kluber was acquired by the Indians on July 31, 2010 from the San Diego Padres in a three-team trade that sent RHP Jake Westbrook to the St. Louis Cardinals. He owns a career Major League record of 31-19 with a 3.34 ERA in 75 games/70 starts (450.1IP, 442H, 167ER, 464SO).
“This is an exciting day for our organization, Corey and his family,” said Cleveland Indians Executive Vice President and General Manager CHRIS ANTONETTI. “In his time with us, Corey has grown into a leader in our clubhouse and an exemplary teammate. His tireless work ethic, consistent preparation and fierce competitiveness set an example for our younger players, and his presence on our team is a key reason that we are prepared to compete for a championship in 2015 and beyond.”
Indians & RHP Carlos Carrasco agree on long-term contract
The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has signed RHP CARLOS CARRASCO to a four-year Major League contract thru the 2018 season with club options for 2019 and 2020.
Carrasco, 28, posted a mark of 8-7 with a 2.55 ERA in 40 games/14 starts between the starting rotation and bullpen in 2014 (134.0IP, 103H, 38ER, 29BB, 140SO, .209AVG). Upon re-entering the rotation on August 10, Carlos posted a mark of 5-3 with a 1.30 ERA over his final 10 starts of the season (69.0IP, 45H, 10ER, 78SO), the lowest ERA in the American League over the span. His season-long ERA of 2.55 was the 2nd-lowest by a Cleveland pitcher since 1970 among pitchers with at least 134.0IP.
| 2014 MLB ERA LEADERS Aug 1-End of Season (min 60IP) |
|
| Pitcher (Team) | ERA (IP /ER) |
| 1. Edinson Volquez (PIT) | 1.63 (71.2 / 13) |
| 2. Carlos Carrasco (CLE) | 1.70 (74.0 / 14) |
| 3. Collin McHugh (HOU) | 1.77 (66.0 / 13) |
| 4. Jordan Zimmermann (WSH) | 1.81 (74.2 / 15) |
| 5. Clayton Kershaw (LA) | 1.87 (77.0 / 16) |
The Barquisimeto, Venezuela native owns a career Major League record of 19-26 with a 4.30 ERA in 88 games/54 starts with Cleveland (372.1 IP, 384 H, 178 ER, 304 SO) since being acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in a six-player trade in July of 2009. He is slated to make his 2015 debut against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, April 8 in Minute Maid Park. He recorded his first career shutout in Houston last September 17, a two-hit, 12 strikeout performance.
Main Photo: BALTIMORE, MD – MAY 24: Corey Kluber #28 of the Cleveland Indians pitches in fifth inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 24, 2014 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
