What do the names Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber, Mike Clevinger, and Carlos Carrasco all have in common?
All of these names are top notch pitchers that the Cleveland Indians have traded away over the last couple years!
Will Shane Bieber be the next top arm that leaves C-Town?
Should the Indians attempt to extend Bieber’s contract?
Shane Bieber's Pitch Arsenal (home plate view) pic.twitter.com/PRMUo3s0xh
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) January 24, 2021
The Case for Extending Bieber’s Contract
Tribe fans will be thrilled to learn that the Indians have control of Shane Bieber’s contract through the 2024 MLB season.
However, even though time may be on the Tribe’s side, the front office must act quickly to lock Bieber up for a longer term.
Bieber not only won the Cy Young Award last season, but the young 25 year old also captured the Pitcher’s Triple Crown (most wins, most strikeouts, and lowest ERA).
The Tribe desperately needs a new face of the franchise after parting ways with Lindor and Bieber would do a fine job filling this need.
Shane Bieber is still improving as a pitcher, is a good teammate in the clubhouse, and does good work in the Cleveland community.
The 6-3 right hander has a stellar 34-14 record with a very good 3.32 earned run average over his first three seasons as an Indian.
The Indians tried to extend Bieber’s contract before the 2020 season, but the Covid19 pandemic threw a proverbial monkey wrench into those well laid plans.
Hopefully, the Tribe front office and Bieber will resume those extension talks before Opening Day on April 1.
Locking Shane Bieber up for a longer length of time would assure Tribe fans that ownership wants to have a true ace in their pitching rotation.
Why The Tribe May Not Give Bieber an Extension
This may be painful for Indians fans to read, but no one really knows what is going on in the mind of Paul Dolan.
The baseball rumor mill is churning and there are whispers of reports going around that say Dolan may sell the team.
One would think that Dolan would want to sign Bieber to a longer term deal even if he intends to sell the team.
Having a true ace workhorse on the staff would make the Indians more attractive to potential buyers.
However, after severe financial losses due to the pandemic shortened 2020 season Dolan may be ready to cash out sooner rather than later.
If that is indeed the case, signing Bieber to a longer term deal will not be near the top of Dolan’s priorities list.
What Will Happen?
Shane Bieber is an absolute stud of a pitcher.
Signing Bieber to a longer term contract would assure Tribe fans that the team will remain competitive in the AL Central division.
The best case scenario is that Bieber and the Indians will reach an agreement before the new 2021 season begins.
The worst case is the Tribe decides not to extend his deal.
At least the worst case scenario still keeps Bieber in an Indians uniform through 2024.
What will happen?
Tribe fans will simply have to “hurry up and wait”.
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