What Made Corey Kluber Pick the Yankees Over the Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox haven’t made many significant additions to their roster this offseason, but they reportedly were about to make a significant splash last Friday. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe reported that Boston was “ready to move on” Corey Kluber before he went to the Yankees on a one-year deal for $11 million.

But what made Kluber decide to go to the Bronx?

The Red Sox looked like they wanted to structure the two-time Cy Young award winner’s contract differently than the Yankees did. Kluber wanted a straight one-year deal, but, according to the story, the Red Sox’s preference was to sign Kluber for one year and attach a club option for 2022 — when the team looks to be a real postseason contender.

With that said, it isn’t difficult to imagine that Kluber doesn’t want to go somewhere for one year just to prove himself. He wants to go to a team that can win the World Series as well. The Red Sox aren’t currently in a position where they can truly contend for a World Series.

The Yankees, on the other hand, look like they will enter Spring Training as the favorite to not just win the AL East but win the American League pennant at the same time. New York is coming off a week where they brought back their best player, DJ LeMahieu, and strengthened a weak rotation that is led by Gerrit Cole.

If the Red Sox were in a better position to contend, then perhaps Kluber would’ve wanted to pitch for the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Instead, he will be pitching against them this season.

(Photo: Louis DeLuca/AP)