Shane Bieber, Guardians agree to deal: Former Cy Young winner returning to Cleveland, per report

Free-agent right-handed starting pitcher Shane Bieber has returned to the Cleveland Guardians, according to ESPN. It is a one-year deal worth $10 million in 2025 with a $16 million player option for 2026. The option comes with a $4 million buyout, so it’s a $14 million guarantee. The team has not yet confirmed the signing.

Bieber only managed two starts with the Guardians last season before needing Tommy John surgery and his rehab from the procedure will impact his 2025 season. He had the surgery on April 8 last season, so it’s possible he’ll need up to 14 months before getting back to the major-league mound. It’s a situation worth monitoring in spring training, but, barring setbacks, he should be 100% by the time the second half of the season comes around. 

Cleveland’s rotation behind ace Tanner Bibee is a bit unsettled at the moment. Matthew Boyd, who pitched nicely for Cleveland after joining the team at midseason, recently signed with the Chicago Cubs. Trade deadline addition Alex Cobb remains a free agent. The club’s rotation depth chart currently looks something like this:

1. RHP Tanner Bibee
2. RHP Shane Bieber (out until midseason with Tommy John surgery)
3. RHP Gavin Williams
4. RHP Ben Lively
5. RHP Triston McKenzie
6. LHP Joey Cantillo
7. LHP Logan Allen

It would not be a surprise if the Guardians brought in another veteran starter just to provide innings at the back of the rotation. Given their small payrolls, Cleveland won’t be in play for Corbin Burnes or Max Fried, so figure a lower-end starter on a one-year deal, if they add another pitcher.

Bieber, 29, had just about the worst timing possible with his injury. He finished fourth in Cy Young voting in 2019, won the Cy Young in 2020 and finished seventh in voting in 2022. In 2023, however, he missed time with elbow inflammation and then last year was his last season before hitting free agency. 

In 2023, Bieber was 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.23 WHIP and 107 strikeouts in 128 innings. Last year, he looked poised for a monster bounce back, though, going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts against just one walk in his 12 innings. 

There’s still ace upside in Bieber, once he’s fully functional, we just can’t be sure it’ll happen in 2025. It’s a risk worth taking, though.