The Cleveland Guardians realized in the postseason that it doesn’t matter how good or deep their bullpen is: they need, at the very least, competent starting pitching to find sustained success against the truly top teams.
Maybe if their ace Shane Bieber was healthy and pitching in the form he showed early in the season before injuring his elbow and needing Tommy John surgery, they would have made the American League Championship Series much closer.
It wasn’t the case, and they lost the series and the pitcher to free agency.
On Friday, however, it was reported that Bieber will be returning to Cleveland for 2025.
Jeff Passan of ESPN revealed the terms of the agreement.
“Right-hander Shane Bieber and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a one-year, $14 million contract that includes a $16 million player option for 2026, sources tell ESPN. Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery in April and is expected to return in the middle of 2025,” he wrote.
Right-hander Shane Bieber and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a one-year, $14 million contract that includes a $16 million player option for 2026, sources tell ESPN. Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery in April and is expected to return in the middle of 2025.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 6, 2024
Bieber was magnificent for the Guardians before going down.
Unfortunately, that happened after just two starts and 12 innings in which he didn’t allow any runs and struck out 20 hitters.
He has a career 3.22 ERA and gives the Guardians a true ace for the stretch run and the playoffs, provided there are no setbacks in his recovery.
It’s a team-friendly deal that gives the Guards an ace if Bieber rebounds and returns to form.
It also gives the players the chance to re-enter the market in 2026 or opt into that season if he prefers.
The two parties are happy with the deal, but the hunt for pitching shouldn’t end here for Cleveland.
NEXT: Guardians Re-Sign Their Ace As They Aim For Deep Postseason Run
