Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber is being targeted by several teams this winter as he is a free agent. Looking to make a comeback season in the second half of the 2025 season post-injury. Last season, Bieber sported a 2-0 record across two games with 20 strikeouts with no runs allowed before landing on the injury list. As well, Bieber cut down on his usage of his cutter pitch. Making a strong start to the season through solid representation of an improved velocity.
Guardians All-Star Highly Sought After This Offseason
But Bieber’s 2024 season got shut down by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. The surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas. He had to mend the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and spent the season recovering from the rehab process. In 2020 Bieber was also the AL MLB strikeout leader. But in June of 2023, Bieber became the 15th pitcher to reach the milestone of 900 strikeouts in his career. He accomplished this in 128 games.
Marking Bieber’s Achievements
Former 2020 AL Cy Young winner, a two-time All-Star (2019, 2021), winner of the pitching Triple Crown in 2020, ERA pitching champion in 2020 (1.63 ERA), Gold Glove winner in 2022, and All-Star game MVP in 2019. Marking 2020 as a memorable successive season for Bieber where he stood out. Bieber can be identified through his strikeout ability. In 2021 he was a strikeout machine recording 134 strikeouts in one of his two All-Star seasons. Back on May 23rd, 2021, Bieber joined Zack Wheeler as the only two pitchers to record back-to-back games with seven or more innings pitched with 10 or more strikeouts. But in 2019 his other All-Star season he recorded 259 strikeouts. 2023 was a down season for Bieber where he recorded a 6-6 record with a 3.80 ERA and 107 strikeouts across 128 innings pitched.
Landing Spots For Bieber
The Texas Rangers are seeking a game-changer pitcher alongside Jacob deGrom. The Rangers’ top priority this offseason is pitching considering they did not make the postseason this past season. The Braves are also targeting Bieber to attend to their starting pitching needs. In addition, NL West teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are two highly coveted landing spots for the 29-year-old who has many achievements as a starter. Bieber would be a solid addition alongside an extended amount of quality starting pitching for the Dodgers that was absent this past postseason; Clayton Kershaw, Gavin Stone, and Tyler Glasnow. But Bieber would also be a solid addition to the Toronto Blue Jays who require a starter with Yariel Rodriguez likely moving to the bullpen.
With Bieber coming off Tommy John this will impact his contract. But wherever Bieber does land his contract will no doubt consist of incentives and options. Making him a solid addition to the Padres on a supposed two-year $45 million deal. But the Milwaukee Brewers have also come up as a possible suitor for Bieber according to ESPN MLB insider Kiley McDaniel. Several teams will be going after Bieber but weighing in on his injury as a factor upon signing him. In addition, to his performance upon his return. Bieber has the grand opportunity to prove himself as a qualified starter who is resilient.
Other Options For Bieber
While Bieber is a free agent this doesn’t eliminate the possibility of the Guardians resigning him. American sportscaster Bruce Drennan believes they should. “I would like to see the Guards re-sign Shane Bieber. I think he’d give them a franchise-friendly contract.” Bieber will still be recovering from surgery at the start of the 2025 season and is expected to miss about half of the season. Making landing a long-term contract with a team questionable. But despite his injury, he would still make a solid addition to teams in need of starters especially when teams are looking to make pushes in the second half of the season. Bieber would be a low-risk high-reward type of signing especially for a team like the Boston Red Sox. With Bieber expected to return around July from injury, a short-term contract type of deal seems probable. Bieber will provide pitching depth as a starter this offseason. This is pending that he performs well upon return and remains healthy. Bieber has spent his whole career with Cleveland, but a new home could be on the lookout for the ace.
Main Photo Credits: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
