MLB Rumors: Cubs Interested in Former 2-Time Cy Young Winner

The Chicago Cubs are looking to be extremely busy on the free agent market at the Winter Meetings. In addition to making offers to all-star shortstops, they've been "checking in" on several pitchers, including former two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, according to reports. 

The Cubs have checked in with Corey Kluber as they search to add to their rotation, reports Sahdev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Sharma and Mooney add that Kluber is close friends with Cubs catcher Yan Gomes and is “more open-minded about Chicago.”

— Michael Canter of Cubs Insider ✨ (@MEdwardCanter) December 4, 2022

Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic are reporting that the possibility of Kluber to the Windy City has been buoyed by two factors:  (1) Kluber is "more open-minded about Chicago after his recent free-agent decisions prioritized staying on the East Coast", and (2) he is close friends with Cubs catcher Yan Gomes. 

Kluber, 36, is a three-time All-Star who won Cy Youngs with Cleveland in 2014 and 2017. Injuries, however, wiped out almost all of his 2019 and 2020 seasons. Since coming back, he's signed one-year deals with first the New York Yankees, and then the Tampa Bay Rays. Perhaps some time out of the rough-and-tumble AL East would be just what the doctor ordered.

Kluber finished this past season with a 4.34 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP while limiting batters to a major league-low 1.2 walks per nine innings. 

The Cubs are hoping to beef up their starting rotation in addition to scoring a big bat for the lineup. 

Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports