Report: Angels interested in Indians' Kluber, Carrasco

The Los Angeles Angels have expressed interest in trading for Cleveland Indians right-handers Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

The Angels were one of the most aggressive pursuers of Gerrit Cole before he signed with the New York Yankees late Tuesday.

Kluber's name has been circulating in trade rumors since last offseason, but the Indians haven't found a deal to their liking yet. The 33-year-old is set to earn $13.5 million in 2020 with another $14-million club option for 2021, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.

A two-time AL Cy Young winner (2014, 2017), Kluber is coming off an injury-riddled campaign where he posted a 5.80 ERA in only 35 2/3 innings. Prior to 2019, the three-time All-Star was one of baseball's most consistent hurlers as he surpassed 200 innings in five consecutive seasons.

Carrasco missed a large portion of 2019 after he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. He returned to the team in September and pitched out of the bullpen en route to earning AL Comeback Player of the Year honors. Prior to last year, Carrasco had established himself as one of baseball's most reliable starters after going 68-43 with a 3.27 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 856 innings from 2014-18.

If a trade is to be reached, Angels GM Billy Eppler may have a difficult decision. Eppler said his "phone is ringing a lot" in reference to young major leaguers like Griffin Canning, David Fletcher, Luis Rengifo, and others, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register.