The term ‘franchise legend’ is often overused in professional sports, and baseball to be more specific.
Corey Kluber is, hands down, a Cleveland Guardians legend.
Few times has Cleveland seen such a consistently dominant pitcher: Kluber took home two AL Cy Young awards in the mid-2010s and finished his Guardians career with a beautiful 3.16 ERA, including a World Series appearance in which he won two games.
Now retired, Kluber is joining the organization in a coaching role, which represents excellent news for pitchers on the staff this year.
“We have hired former RHP Corey Kluber in the role of Special Assistant, Pitching. Welcome back, Klubes!” the team posted on X.
We have hired former RHP Corey Kluber in the role of Special Assistant, Pitching.
Welcome back, Klubes!#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/MG25ksIbm1
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 14, 2025
Per team insider Tim Stebbins, the former star will work with the Guardians’ big-league pitchers alongside the coaching staff.
To have such an accomplished, successful former star now passing on his deep knowledge of the game is a luxury for Cleveland baseball.
Even if the unit has been showing a marked improvement in recent games, the rotation might be the Guardians’ weakest link.
Bringing in Kluber on board will only help: he knows the nuances of pitching and how to go from being an unheralded guy to a bonafide ace.
Kluber discussed his role with Stebbins and said that all parties would hammer out the exact details on the go.
“A lot of it is figuring it out as we go,” Kluber said. “There’s nothing set in stone, but I think it’s trying to really find the best ways for me to contribute. I’m not looking to take something away from anybody else that does stuff, but really just use the experience that I have to be a resource if there’s an opportunity to do so.”
It won’t hurt, say, Logan Allen or Gavin Williams to have Kluber around giving them tips on better grips for a curveball or how to deal with certain situations.
It’s a fantastic addition to the squad.
NEXT: Guardians Make Notable Move In Latest Power Rankings
