Why blockbuster Corey Kluber trade from Indians to Rangers is bad for A's

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Teams in the AL West continue to make moves this offseason, while the A's watch from afar. The latest is a two-time Cy Young award winner reportedly joining the Texas Rangers. 

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Sunday that the Rangers have acquired starting pitcher Corey Kluber from the Cleveland Indians for outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. and pitching prospect Emmanuel Clase. Levi Weaver of The Athletic also reported there are expected to be more players sent to Cleveland. 

Kluber, who turns 34 years old in April, was limited to just seven games last season due to injuries and put up the worst numbers of his eight-year career in limited innings. But when healthy, the right-hander still is one of the best arms in all of baseball. 

Prior to Kluber's injury-riddled 2019, he had averaged 31 starts per year and 206 innings pitched from 2013 to '18. In that six-year span, he also averaged 227 strikeouts and only 43 walks. 

The Rangers now have added Kluber, Jordan Lyles and Kyle Gibson to their rotation this offseason. As they move into their new stadium, the Rangers are expected to continue making moves, too. 

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Adding Kluber clearly is a positive for the Rangers, but it's another negative for the A's. He has a 2.29 career ERA against Oakland in nine appearances -- eight starts -- but now will face them much more in 2020. 

While the A's are more focused on keeping their young core intact long-term, the Angels added star third baseman Anthony Rendon and the Rangers traded for Kluber. The AL West has been owned by the Astros and A's in recent seasons, but the rest of the division is coming for them.

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