The Cleveland Guardians may shop former AL Cy Young winner who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Here’s a realistic mock trade package and why it makes sense for both teams.
With the July 31 trade deadline fast approaching, the Cleveland Guardians, once considering a late-season push, have shifted into sell mode. One name generating buzz: Shane Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner, who has recently resumed his rehab assignments following Tommy John surgery.
MLB insider Jeff Passan reports teams have started calling—and Cleveland is listening. Though Bieber is on the 60-day injured list and hasn’t pitched in the majors since April 2024, clubs targeting rotation depth and upside are closely monitoring his progress. The Cubs could be buyers.
Here’s how a trade could unfold, and why it could benefit both sides.
Shane Bieber rehab update⬇️⬇️⬇️
4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 0 BB, 7 SO @AkronRubberDuck 🦆 pic.twitter.com/3J1Sovth8X
— GuardsInsider (@GuardsInsider) July 29, 2025
Why Bieber Is a Real Trade Target
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Top-tier pedigree, recovering: Bieber’s career 3.22 ERA and nearly 1,000 strikeouts in 843 innings speak for themselves. While returning from elbow surgery poses a risk, some front offices view the reward, once healthy, as worth the wait.
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Financial clarity: Bieber carries a $16 million player option for 2026, making his contract situation less opaque than other rental starters. A team acquiring him can plan around his arbitration status with minimal surprise.
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Market gap filler: With elite starters like Mitch Keller and Sandy Alcántara likely out of reach for many, Bieber offers controllable upside at lower cost for the Cubs
Why Cleveland Might Trade Bieber
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Trade value window: The Guardians are trending down, struggling offensively, and unlikely to make a deep playoff push. With rotation depth solid via Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams, Bieber now resembles a trade asset more than a future building block.
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Rebuild priorities: Cleveland can convert past All-Star capital into future lineup pieces or pitching depth, reinforcing their long-term plan.
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More exhaustive sell list emerging: Reports also suggest Steven Kwan may become available—though Bieber remains the most high-profile asset in play.
Possible Trade Scenario
| Trade Package | What Bieber Fulfills | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Bieber → Cubs Guardians Receive → Top‑30 SP prospect + Double‑A position prospect |
Rotation depth with high-upside bounce-back profile | Cubs gain potential ace; Guardians get future assets aligned with rebuild scale. |
We’ve been Beliebers since 2016! 🤩@CleGuardians right-hander Shane Bieber looks sharp in his first @LCCaptains outing in eight years, fanning four over three innings (43 pitches). pic.twitter.com/F9gOEyWxEp
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) July 23, 2025
Shane Bieber represents a rare deadline instrument: a former elite starter who’s regaining strength and ready for a second act. While his return from Tommy John requires patience, his upside, once healthy, is undeniable. For high-payroll teams facing rotation gaps like the Cubs, Bieber offers upside at less cost and risk than top-tier arms.
Meanwhile, the Guardians’ decision to transition to selling reflects evolution in their timeline, and selling Bieber could bring back immediate high-end prospects. If Cleveland aims to pivot fully into rebuild mode, this trade could be the type of calculated, impactful swap that sets up long-term success.
