The Cleveland Guardians were dealt a big blow this week.
With Emmanuel Clase placed on administrative leave over his alleged involvement in a sports gambling scheme, chances are we won’t get to watch him take the mound again this season.
With that in mind, the Guardians could look to offload their ace.
Shane Bieber has emerged as a big-time trade candidate, and, according to MLB insider Paul Hoynes, the New York Yankees have set their sights on him:
“Bieber is drawing trade interest as well. The Yankees are said to be one of the teams interested,” Hoynes wrote. “The question is how much will Bieber be able to pitch this season? He could follow the pattern set by left-hander Matthew Boyd last year. Boyd signed with the Guardians at the end of June, finished his rehab from Tommy John surgery, and made eight starts down the stretch and three more in the postseason for Cleveland.”
Bieber signed a two-year deal to return to Cleveland last offseason.
He’s making $10 million this season and has a $16 million player option for next year.
Then again, if he’s fully healthy and ready to roll, it’s hard to imagine he will pick up that option.
As such, the team should look to move on from him before he hits free agency again, and they risk losing him without getting anything in return.
Bieber is taking big steps in his recovery, and it shouldn’t be long before he’s back out there.
And even though he will most likely be on a strict pitch count like all hurlers when they come back from Tommy John surgery, he should be able to ramp things up and be ready to take the mound for the playoffs.
Losing him would be a big blow for this already decimated rotation, but if they don’t like their chances of keeping him for longer in free agency, moving on from him now certainly makes the most sense.
NEXT: Analyst Sounds Off On Guardians About Questionable Lineup Decision
