• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

Do The Guardians Need To Extend Shane Bieber Now?

By Spencer Richardson May 22, 2022

Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on May 22, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

 

Remember how good it felt when the Guardians extended José Ramirez last month?

And look at how much that move has paid off, with Ramirez solidifying himself as an AL MVP candidate.

The feeling was one of joy, elation, and relief.

That’s because the front office finally acted quickly and decisively before a move to retain star talent grew too far out of reach.

In the not too distant past, former Cleveland studs like Fransisco Lindor were thought to be future staples of the lineup until one day, fans woke up to see Lindor in a Mets uniform.

And nowhere has this drain been so apparent than on the mound.

Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger, and Corey Kluber all once upon a time took the mound for Cleveland.

They were expected to formulate northern Ohio’s next great pitching rotation.

Where are they now?

Everywhere except a Cleveland jersey.

Go back further, when stars CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee were hauled off and went on to have exceptional careers in New York and Philadelphia.

For some time, Cleveland has been caught between trying to contend and appearing as a glorified minor league system, training guys before the big ball clubs come and snap them up.

That makes the question of a Shane Bieber extension all the more pressing.

Given this history, is the time to act on a deal for Shane Bieber now?

 

Age and Promise

It might feel like Bieber has been around forever, but the righty is only 26.

In his time thus far in the league, he’s gone from a cool-headed innings eater to a bona fide star, earning the Cy Young and Pitching Triple Crown back in 2020.

Excellent bounce-back outing from Shane Bieber tonight..

6 solid IP, allowing 1 run (solo HR by Urshela) on 7 hits w/ 3 BB and 7 K

All square at 1 run apiece as #Guardians come to bat in the 7th

— Jensen Lewis (@JLEWFifty) May 15, 2022

A year later, in 2021, Bieber signed a $6 million contract to avoid arbitration.

It was a great deal for the club, which secured Bieber’s services for roughly $5 million less than his open-market value, per Spotrac.

Bieber is eligible for two more years of arbitration before hitting free agency.

Therefore, simmering just under the surface is the need for a longer-term deal to keep Bieber in Cleveland.

And the Guardians should seize the chance now.

Why not present Bieber with a Blake Snell-ian-like offer of five years, $50 million?

Surely that would be enough to incentivize him to stay in Cleveland?

Or the team could wait another year like it always does.

By that point, Bieber’s value could remain the same, but it likely won’t.

And Bieber could still want to be in Cleveland, but based on the not-so-small sample size, it’s very possible he wants a change of pace.

What exactly is Cleveland’s timeline?

They have strong pitchers in the farm system, including Daniel Espino and Gavin Williams.

Keeping Bieber around for their eventual MLB arrivals would be a smart move.

Bieber could then provide some solid mentoring, not to mention a steady and experienced high-level arm.

Keeping Bieber in the short term makes sense in the long term.

 

Prying Eyes

If the Guardians opt not to move for a Bieber extension, they’re essentially relinquishing any control they have.

What happens when the Scherzer-less Mets come knocking?

Or when Clayton Kershaw decides to hang up his Hall of Fame glove?

"More than anything, I feel like I'm happy with dealing with some adversity and being able to work out of it."

Shane Bieber reflects on bouncing back from his last outing and fighting through six innings tonight.#ForTheLand | @DreKnott pic.twitter.com/94Vhr4S3jq

— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 15, 2022

The big markets will write up a shortlist of potential replacements, and Bieber’s name will be on it.

What team wouldn’t want to add a former Cy Young winner to its rotation?

And for Bieber, the chance to compete on an even bigger stage could be too much to pass up.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily) Tagged With: cleveland guardians

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Cleveland Guardians News

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Top Guardians Prospect Falls In Latest Rankings

6 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

What To Watch For As The Guardians Face Tough Schedule Stretch

6 months ago

baseball on field

Does The MLB Owe The Guardians An Apology?

6 months ago

Manager Terry Francona #77 of the Cleveland Guardians watches from the dugout during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field on May 19, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Guardians Rated Highly In Latest Power Rankings By MLB Insiders

6 months ago

Emmanuel Clase #48 and Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate after the final out of their MLB game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on August 14, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.

What’s Behind The Guardians’ Recent Winning Streak?

6 months ago

Andres Gimenez #0 of the Cleveland Guardians (center) is congratulated by teammates after he hit a grand slam home run against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at RingCentral Coliseum on April 29, 2022 in Oakland, California

Report: Guardians Unlikely To Be Big Spenders This Winter

6 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

3 Surprising Guardians Stats With 50 Games Left

6 months ago

Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly to defeat the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field on June 10, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Athletics 3-2.

MLB Insider "Sells" Deep Guardians Playoff Run

6 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

Fans React To Guardians Moving To First In The Division

6 months ago

Franmil Reyes #32 of the Cleveland Guardians singles off Lucas Giolito of the Chicago White Sox in the seventh inning at Progressive Field on July 13, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The White Sox defeated the Guardians 2-1.

What's Next After Franmil Reyes DFA?

6 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Progressive Field on August 03, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Could Shane Bieber Be On The Move This Winter?

6 months ago

Outfielders Alex Call #65 Myles Straw #7 and Nolan Jones #33 of the Cleveland Guardians run in after the Guardians defeated the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on July 16, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Guardians defeated the Tigers 10-0.

Solving The Guardians' Logjam At Right Field

6 months ago

baseball on field

Report: Guardians Pursuit Of Deadline Target Fell Apart Over Prospects

6 months ago

Military aircraft fly over Progressive Field during the national anthem prior to the home opener of the Cleveland Guardians against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Giants defeated the Guardians 4-1.

What Is The Guardians Outlook After A Quiet Trade Deadline?

6 months ago

Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals looks on during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 06, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Is Daniel Espino Too High A Price For Juan Soto?

6 months ago

Alex Call #65 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates after scoring in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 31, 2022 in St Petersburg, Florida.

Fans React To Guardians Win Versus Rays

6 months ago

Josh Naylor #22 of the Cleveland Guardians flips his bat after hitting a RBI single in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox during game one of a doubleheader at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

How Josh Naylor’s Injury Affects Guardians’ Trade Deadline Plans

6 months ago

Sean Murphy #12 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on July 10, 2022 in Oakland, California.

Report: Oakland's Sean Murphy A Guardians "Top Target"

6 months ago

Austin Hedges #17 celebrates with teammate Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians after beating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 27, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.

What To Watch For In Guardians Series Versus Rays

6 months ago

Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field on June 14, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.

What Is Shane Bieber's Value?

6 months ago

Pitcher Logan Allen #54 of the Cleveland Indians throws in the bullpen during summer workouts at Progressive Field on July 06, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio.

2 Bullpen Targets For Guardians At Trade Deadline

6 months ago

Willson Contreras #40 of the Chicago Cubs smiles during the 92nd MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Dodger Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Guardians Among "Most Likely" Trade Destinations For Cubs' Contreras

6 months ago

Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 06, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan.

What Is Shane Bieber's Future In Cleveland?

6 months ago

Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox slides home to score in the fifth inning against Luke Maile #12 of the Cleveland Guardians during game two of a double header at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

Fans React To Guardians Doubleheader Versus White Sox

6 months ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.