Tanner Bibee’s limited role in the postseason was one of the most talked about storylines of the Cleveland Guardians’ October run. The right-hander led the team in starts and innings during the regular season, yet he made just one brief appearance in the playoffs and never pitched in the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Fans and national analysts alike questioned the decision, calling it one of the great mysteries of the series.
Now new details have emerged about how Stephen Vogt handled the situation behind the scenes. According to cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes, Vogt took Bibee on a 40-minute walk around the outfield before Game 6 “just to clear the air.”
“Vogt reportedly took a 40-minute walk with Bibee around the outfield before Game 6 just to clear the air. Noga described Bibee as someone who “sort of owned it” heading into the offseason, with optimization — not reinvention — on the agenda,” Hoynes said.
That conversation reveals a lot about how Vogt operates. Rather than letting the situation linger, the Cleveland manager made sure to sit down with one of his most important pitchers and talk things through, even with his team facing elimination. It fits the way Vogt has led this clubhouse throughout his tenure, prioritizing honest communication and relationships with his players.
Vogt has been consistent in his public comments about Bibee, too. After Game 6, he explained that the Guardians had been saving Bibee for games that might require extra inning coverage, and that the right spot simply never presented itself. During his end of season press conference, Vogt went further, calling Bibee the rock of Cleveland’s rotation and saying he does not see that role changing in 2027.
The numbers show why the Guardians still value him so highly. Bibee made all 33 of his starts this season and ranked sixth in the majors with 188 innings pitched. He recorded nineteen quality starts, the most by a Cleveland pitcher since Shane Bieber in 2022, and he was named a Gold Glove finalist at pitcher. His 7-15 record and 4.36 ERA did not tell the full story, though a rough September, in which he posted a 7.36 ERA over five starts, clearly impacted the team’s trust in him heading into October.
His return to form could be critical for Cleveland. The Guardians have serious concerns about the team’s pitching heading into the offseason, from a bullpen that was worn down by the end of the postseason to questions in the rotation. Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis each pitched in nine of the team’s eleven playoff games, Foster Griffin is a free agent, and Parker Messick threw far more innings than ever before.
A fully locked in Bibee would help solve several of those problems at once. If the walk with Vogt helped him turn the page, the Guardians could get their rock back right where they need him next season.
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