If the Guardians are against trying to keep Shane Bieber around for the long haul, now might not actually be the time to move him.
Bieber’s name has started showing up in trade rumors following Cleveland’s underwhelming 2023 campaign. It was the 28-year-old’s worst season since his rookie year, and he also missed a chunk of the season with elbow inflammation.
When Bieber is on though, he’s one of the best starters in the game. He won the Cy Young in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and despite the poor 2023 season, the year before he was an All-Star, finishing the year with a 2.88 ERA.
Audacy MLB Insider Jon Heyman told Mully & Haugh on 670 The Score on Wednesday that giving Bieber time to rebound in 2024 ultimately could be to their benefit.
"Bieber came back last year, pitched two games at the end but was not himself," Heyman said. "They really can’t get what his true value probably is at this point. To me, that’s a guy they should keep until the trade deadline, and when he has his value back up -- if he has a decent first half they should be able to get a ton for him if they’re not in the race and they decide to trade him. For now, I know he’s being talked about.
"Cleveland has been willing to trade guys. Obviously they traded (Mike) Clevinger before his time, that was a good move. They threatened to trade (Zach) Plesac, they should have, they never did. But they’ve traded some good, young pitchers. Bieber, he won the Cy Young I believe, but at this point the value is not there for him. So, I personally think that’s a mistake for them to trade him. I don’t see that one."
The only downside to that approach is Bieber will be a free agent after next season, so waiting until the deadline to move him makes him a two-month rental. Either way, if the Guardians decide to trade Bieber, there undoubtedly will be plenty of suitors.