Cleveland Indians Trade Corey Kluber To Rangers

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians are officially open for business. The Tribe started trading some of their star players this weekend, sending longtime ace Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

In exchange for Kluber, the Indians received two prospects: outfielder Delino DeShields and relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase. To make room on the roster, the Tribe designated Mike Freeman for assignment.

Kluber's departure is both a symbolic and literal changing of the guard. Kluber spent nearly a decade in Cleveland. He won two Cy Young awards, in 2014 and 2017, and was nominated for the award two other times. He went to three All-Star Games as a Cleveland Indian.

With Kluber gone, trade talk focused on the other Indians stars (see Lindor, Francisco) will heat up. Expect additional trades before spring training.

Despite moving on from key pieces to the team's 2016 World Series run and subsequent playoff appearances, Indians president Chris Antonetti told ESPN he wanted to procure players who could help his club this year. If that's true, it will be interesting to see what types of players the Tribe target in future trades.