LAS VEGAS -- When a perennial Cy Young Award candidate is available on the trade market, he becomes a hub of activity in the baseball industry.
Right now, that describes Indians ace Corey Kluber.
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Although Kluber isn't close to being dealt -- as one source said Monday evening -- a trade involving him is viewed as realistic by executives and agents in attendance at this week's Winter Meetings. The impact of that is far-reaching.
Consider the related storylines:
Harper's fit with the Dodgers
The Dodgers are among the most serious suitors for Kluber and may have the best opportunity to acquire him. And if they do, the Dodgers could become even more inclined to make a push to sign Bryce Harper.
Here's why: If the Dodgers acquire Kluber, there's a good chance they will surrender center-field prospect Alex Verdugo in the process. Verdugo's departure would remove a left-handed-hitting outfielder from the Dodgers' long-term depth chart. Harper could fill that void.

Bumgarner's future
Think of this as an offseason riff on the usual Dodgers-Giants rivalry.
We can safely assume the Giants -- under former Dodgers executive Farhan Zaidi -- won't trade a franchise icon to their arch-rivals to the south. In that way, the list of teams pursuing Madison Bumgarner via trade -- the Phillies, Brewers, Braves and Yankees -- is similar (but not identical) to the array of clubs talking with the Indians about Kluber.
Thus, if the Giants truly are ready to embrace a rebuild, they'd benefit from the Dodgers acquiring Kluber, because that move wouldn't eliminate a viable contender from the Bumgarner marketplace.

Keuchel's leverage
The Braves are open to addressing their rotation need via trade (Bumgarner or Kluber) or free agency. Dallas Keuchel is among the strongest possibilities in the latter category, and his camp would rather not lose Atlanta as a potential suitor through the Braves' potential acquisition of Kluber.
The Reds loom as a fallback option for Keuchel, but he likely would prefer to sign with an immediate contender (such as the Braves) if the contract offers are similar.

The White Sox aggressiveness
If the Indians trade Kluber for a prospect who's unlikely to open 2019 in the Majors -- such as Corey Ray of the Brewers or Estevan Florial of the Yankees -- the diminishment in talent could further embolden the division-rival White Sox.
The White Sox willingness to spend isn't linked directly to whether or not Kluber pitches for the Indians in 2019, but White Sox general manager Rick Hahn could adjust his course if he perceives an increased opportunity to win the American League Central next year.
If the Indians lose Kluber while the White Sox sign Manny Machado, the division's balance of power -- likely a gradual process over the next several years -- could shift sooner than expected.