How the Corey Kluber deal came about and what it means for the Yankees rotation

After a winter of unmet needs, the Yankees struck quickly on Friday to bolster their starting rotation, agreeing to terms with Corey kluber shortly after finalizing their deal with DJ LeMahieu.

Assuming Kluber is successful with his physique, the team’s rotation is likely established. After paying LeMahieu $ 15 million and Kluber $ 11 million, the Yanks are just a few million dollars below a luxury tax threshold of $ 210 that they don’t plan to exceed.

According to league sources, longtime Yankee Masahiro Tanaka looking for a one year contract at $ 15-20 million. SNY reported earlier in the offseason that a meeting with the Yankees was unlikely. Now it’s even harder to see how that would work.

The San Diego Padres have engaged in the Tanaka camp, but sources say those negotiations have not heated up. There remains a real possibility that Tanaka will return to Japan. Everything that connects the Mets to Tanaka is pure rumor (as with LeMahieu, which the Mets never pursued).

The Yankees spoke to Cincinnati about Luis Castillo, but it looks like we should file these discussions under “Duh, who wouldn’t ask about Luis Castillo?”

While Castillo’s talks have not moved forward so far, it seems worth keeping at least an eye on this situation, as Castillo is only expected to earn $ 4.2 million this year. If the Yanks can unload Adam ottavinOcontract, they could accommodate Castillo. The potential cost would also be high.

In reality, it’s clear that the Yankees’ math was straightforward: They picked Kluber as their primary rotational expense this year.

After Kluber hosted a bullpen session with a large number of participants in Florida last week, several teams began to bid aggressively, including a previously unknown suitor: the Toronto Blue Jays. This pushed Kluber’s base salary beyond what many in the industry expected, given his recent history of injury.

According to league sources, the Yanks did not actually submit the highest bid for Kluber. Several teams were prepared to pay more than $ 10 million.

It boiled down to a desire by Kluber and the Yanks to work together. It couldn’t hurt that Kluber enjoys working with Eric Cressey, the Yankees’ new director of player health and performance.

For both sides it was like an adjustment. Now, if Kluber can stay healthy, the Yanks have more depth and experience in the rotation.