The Cleveland Guardians re-signed star right-hander Shane Bieber, one of their main off-season objectives.
Bieber has been their ace since the late 2010s and has returned excellent performance on a yearly basis, even winning the AL Cy Young award in 2020.
A series of circumstances occurred that made his return to Cleveland possible, even in a short-term deal.
He was pursued by other squads, offered more money, but his loyalty was in Cleveland.
The relationships he built over the years within the Guardians organization were too important for him to pass up, so he decided to come back, rehab, and then give the organization a solid four or five months before decision time comes again.
“Bieber said his relationships with everyone in Cleveland were a major factor in his decision to return. He said being out last year brought him perspective, allowed him to see things “through a different lens,” team insider Tom Withers posted on X.
Bieber said his relationships with everyone in Cleveland were a major factor in his decision to return.
He said being out last year brought him perspective, allowed him to see things "through a different t lens."— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) December 11, 2024
Bieber has been out since April as he underwent Tommy John surgery.
He got to witness how far this team can go, and how him being healthy and ready to go in October considerably elevates the Guardians’ ceiling.
The Guardians need an ace, and he can return that kind of performance in June or July barring any setbacks.
If Bieber bounces back nicely and pitches like a frontline starter, he may decline his $16 million option for 2026, receive his $4 million buyout, and re-enter the market.
If not, he can always return for 2026 under those terms.
In any case, we haven’t seen the last of Bieber with the Guardians and that in itself is reason to celebrate.
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