The Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers are still engaged in trade discussions involving Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer.

Jon Morosi reported that the Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers are still having trade discussions.

Sources: In Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer trade talks, #Indians have yet to move off their insistence on a Chris Sale-level return in order to move one of them. Discussions with #Dodgers have been serious, but no sign of recent progress. @MLB @MLBNetwork — Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 6, 2019

Cleveland desiring a Chris Sale-level return is not out of the question for either pitcher. Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer are two of the best pitchers in baseball. While Kluber is getting older and Bauer is coming off his first great season, asking the world for them is the right avenue to take. Make any team wanting to acquire their services come with a Godfather offer. If a team does not come to the table with an offer of that quality Cleveland can just hang on to their pitchers.

Morosi also added some insight from Kluber’s agent B.B. Abbott.

Corey Kluber’s agent, B.B. Abbott, told us on @MLBNetworkRadio last week that he believes the closer we move toward Spring Training, the less likely a Kluber trade becomes. @MLB @MLBNetwork — Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 6, 2019

The thoughts of Abbott reflect the thoughts of many. The prevailing thought is that as each day passes a trade of Kluber is less and less likely. The same logic also applies to Bauer. Teams want to get their roster set as early as possible and not make a major change just before Spring Training. Considering Spring Training gives prospects and Opening Day hopefuls their chance to display their abilities, a team would not want to waste their time on a player who would not be an option if a trade were to occur.

The main name mentioned in a potential deal with Los Angeles is their best prospect Alex Verdugo. Verdugo is an outfielder and the Indians clearly need help in that department. However the deal made between Los Angeles and Cincinnati did see some other names mentioned as possible trade pieces being sent to the Reds. That trade may not have ended the Dodgers pursuit of an Indians pitcher, but it does not help their cause.

To echo the sentiments of Kluber’s agent a final time, as time goes on a trade of either pitcher seemingly decreases by the day. Is it possible a trade happens? Sure. Is it likely? Not necessarily. While the Indians have holes on their roster, they need to be blown away with an offer. Up to this point that has not happened.