Thursday marks the deadline for MLB teams and players to agree on one-year contracts for 2024 (for those eligible to the arbitration system) without having to exchange figures and risk a hearing.
The Cleveland Guardians have some contracts situations to settle, but perhaps the most important one was Shane Bieber.
Fortunately for team and player, an agreement has been reached on his salary for the 2024 campaign, theoretically his last in a Guardians uniform.
“Source: Shane Bieber, Guardians settle at $13.125 million, avoiding arbitration,” Robert Murray of FanSided tweeted.
Fans had all kinds of opinions about the new salary for Bieber, and they weren’t afraid to express them on Twitter.
Some users were actually shocked to see the Guardians spending that much money:
Me when the Guards actually spend the slightest bit of money on retaining talent: pic.twitter.com/26ioI3M411
— Jackmerius Tacktheritrix (@JackTackMSU) January 11, 2024
However, it’s not like they had much of a choice: they weren’t going to non-tender Bieber and the system called for a raise.
It’s still a nice number, especially considering he made $10.01 million in 2023.
A lot of Yankees fans flooded the timeline and the replies, too:
We’ll take that off your hands if you feel like it’s too much @CleGuardians
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) January 11, 2024
Yankee
— Zach (@zkboomstick11) January 11, 2024
— x-Lafreniere For MVP (@Laf4MVP) January 11, 2024
The Yankees have been rumored as one of Bieber’s potential destinations if the Guardians finally end up trading him.
Others just chose to congratulate Bieber on getting another nice payday in anticipation of free agency, which is expected to take place after the 2024 campaign.
Congrats for a well deserved contract to a true superstar.
— Bret Lincoln (@Bretlincoln) January 11, 2024
Bieber posted a 3.80 ERA in 128 innings this past season, while battling with diminished velocity and a bout of elbow inflammation.
He is believed to be healthy now, but teams are aware of his recent history with his elbow and might be afraid to put a quality offer out there.
NEXT: Insider Highlights Shane Bieber's Trade Value
