Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber’s status as a trade candidate this summer may be in jeopardy due to an injury. Bieber recently underwent an MRI on his right elbow and forearm, resulting in him missing at least his next scheduled start. This news has significant implications for the Guardians and their rotation, as well as potential trade discussions. Here’s what you need to know:
Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner, has had a solid season thus far with a 3.77 ERA in 19 starts. However, he has struggled in his recent outings, allowing four or more runs in four of his last five starts. Additionally, he has not surpassed the 100-pitch mark in any of those starts. One particular issue Bieber has faced this season is his performance when pitching deeper into games. Hitters have posted a .939 OPS against him when facing him for a third time, which is a significant increase compared to previous years.
The injury to Bieber adds to the challenges that the Cleveland Guardians’ rotation has faced this season. Prior to the start of the season, the team had planned to have Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Cal Quantrill, Aaron Civale, and Zach Plesac as their starting staff. However, only Plesac has remained healthy throughout the season. McKenzie missed the first two months with a shoulder strain and is now dealing with an elbow sprain. He is currently trying to avoid Tommy John surgery, which could potentially sideline him for the entire 2024 season. Quantrill has been placed on the injured list twice since June due to shoulder inflammation and has struggled with a 6.45 ERA in 13 starts. Civale has been the most consistent starter for the team with a 2.56 ERA but missed significant time due to an oblique strain.
With Bieber’s absence from the rotation, Logan Allen will take Quantrill’s spot during the upcoming series against Pittsburgh. The team will need to decide whether to bring in another pitcher or opt for a bullpen day to fill Bieber’s spot. The Guardians are also closely monitoring the innings counts for Allen and rookies Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams.
Looking ahead to the trade deadline, Bieber’s injury complicates matters for the Guardians. He is under team control until the 2024 season and is currently earning $10.01 million. Cleveland has a history of trading starting pitchers on a similar timeline, as they have dealt Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber, and Mike Clevinger in recent years. The team has received immediate major-league help and prospects in return for these trades. Given the Guardians’ struggles on offense, ranking last in home runs and 27th in runs, a trade involving Bieber for an established hitter could make sense. However, his health will be a significant factor in any potential trade discussions.
Bieber’s injury comes after missing two months in 2021 due to a shoulder strain. Additionally, his average fastball velocity has decreased by nearly 3 mph since the 2020 season. These factors further highlight the importance of monitoring his health and performance moving forward.
In conclusion, Shane Bieber’s injury has put a potential trade on hold and has added to the challenges faced by the Cleveland Guardians’ rotation this season. The team will need to make adjustments to fill his spot and monitor the health of their other pitchers. The trade deadline will also be impacted by Bieber’s injury, as his availability and performance will play a significant role in any potential deals.