Star Power: Guardians Projected to Keep Righ-hander for…
The Cleveland Guardians put together a strong 2024 season that saw them win 92 games and cruise to an American League Central title, which was their second in the last three years.
However, after losing the ALCS to the New York Yankees, Cleveland has some questions to answer. Right-hander Shane Bieber missed nearly the whole season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he’s a free agent and the Guardians have to decide whether or not to bring him back for 2025.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report expects Cleveland to retain him for one year and $14 million.
“Bieber looked better than ever in his first two starts of 2024, but then he had to go under the knife for Tommy John surgery. He likely won’t return until midway through 2025,” Rymer wrote.
“Still, teams should see signing the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner as an opportunity to have a No. 1 for half a year. Even when he was diminished in 2022 and 2023, Bieber still offered strong control and had an array of nasty breaking stuff to keep hitters off-balance.”
Bieber did not allow an earned run in either of his two starts in 2024, making his Tommy John surgery all the more disheartening. But he has shown that when he’s healthy, he can still be one of the top pitchers in the league.
Cleveland would be wise to try and retain him. They would likely get him back just in time for the second half and have a strong one-two punch featuring him and Tanner Bibee, which could give them a better chance at a deeper postseason run.
The Guardians don’t always spend big on free agents, but they should be able to afford Bieber at this price. Their future appears bright as they prepare to defend their AL Central title in 2025.
