“We need a new deal!”
Cleveland Indians fans may look at Shane Bieber’s current contract and start echoing those same words of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Will the Tribe entertain the idea of signing Bieber to a longer term contract?
If so, here is what a new deal may look like for Bieber and the Indians.
Would Bieber’s New Deal be close to Bauer’s?
Trevor Bauer's three-year deal with the Dodgers is for $102 million guaranteed — and for $40 million in 2021 and $45 million in 2022. He can opt out after each year, meaning he'll make $40M if he opts out this year, $85M if he does so after 2022 and $102M if he stays all three.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 5, 2021
All MLB fans know that the Dodgers recently made former Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer an insanely wealthy man!
The reigning World Champs inked Bauer to a record breaking deal worth 40 million in 2021 and 45 million in 2022!
Needless to say, Trevor Bauer cashed in right after winning the National League Cy Young Award last year.
Would a new deal look somewhat similar for Shane Bieber?
It is definitely a possibility as Bieber also won a Cy Young Award of his own last season.
In fact, any baseball purist could argue that Bieber had a much better 2020 campaign than Bauer.
Bieber became the first pitcher since 2011 to win the Pitcher’s Triple Crown (best in Wins, ERA, and strikeouts).
The 25-year old went 8-1 with a paltry 1.63 ERA and struck out 122 batters.
Bauer’s record was 5-4 with a 1.73 ERA and 100 strikeouts.
So, by looking at those numbers it is not too far fetched to say that Bieber deserves just as much money as Bauer, if not more!
However, most folks in the MLB probably agree that even though Bauer is an outstanding pitcher, the Dodgers definitely overpaid for him a bit.
We all know that Indians owner Paul Dolan will never have anywhere near the payroll of the Dodgers.
The likelihood of Bieber getting 40 million a year from the Indians are somewhere between slim and none.
What is the Tribe’s Most Likely Offer?
The Indians have control of Bieber’s contract through the next 4 seasons so time is on the Tribe’s side.
Or is it?
It may make more sense for Cleveland to try and lock Bieber up while they still can.
It’s hard to believe that Bieber is still only 25-years young and his stuff is only improving.
"He's still evolving. That's what's really exciting…'cause I don't doubt he's gonna figure out a way to get better."
Terry Francona discusses @Indians' Shane Bieber with @JLEWFifty on the latest edition of Tribe Report. pic.twitter.com/ngSmy8B7sB
— FOX Sports Cleveland (@FOXSportsCLE) February 5, 2021
If Bieber were to win another Cy Young Award during any of the next 4 years, the Tribe simply will not be able to afford him.
Various models out there show Bieber’s current market value in the 20 to 25 million a year range.
However, that is assuming that Bieber is on the free agent market, which he is not.
What kind of hometown discount would Bieber be willing to give the Indians?
Shane has to be ready to start making some serious money!
The 6-3 righty is only slated to make barely over $500,000 this season so he may be willing to at least entertain new contract talks from the Indians front office.
Our guess is that Antonetti and Dolan offer up something along the lines of $110 million over 7 years (just over 15.7 million per year).
If Bieber signs for that amount, all Tribe fans could dance in the streets with joy!
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