CLEVELAND — In a move that seemed impossible mere months ago, Shane Bieber is back with the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians announced on Wednesday that their the ace pitcher has agreed to return to the only franchise he's ever known.
MLB Network insider Jon Heyman and ESPN's Buster Olney were the first to break the news, with sources since confirming to ESPN's Jeff Passan that the contract is for one year and $14 million with a $16 million player option in 2026.
Bieber hit free agency this offseason after seven stellar seasons in Cleveland that have included two All-Star appearances and an American League Cy Young Award in 2020. However, there's a strong chance he would've left Northeast Ohio by now if not for some unfortunate circumstances.
After battling injuries for the latter part of his tenure, Bieber was tapped for his fifth straight opening day start in 2024, and responded with two consecutive outings of scoreless six-inning ball to begin the year. Unfortunately, his amazing performances masked underlying issues with his arm, and his campaign abruptly ended with Tommy John surgery shortly thereafter.
Bieber was forced to watch from the dugout as the Guardians won the AL Central Division and made a run to the AL Championship Series, albeit with an abnormally depleted starting pitching staff. Though Bieber will almost certainly miss multiple more weeks or months to begin 2025, his return provides the club with much-needed stability and veteran leadership in the rotation, made all the more necessary after lefty Matthew Boyd signed with the Chicago Cubs earlier this week.
With free agency looming and Bieber in line for a big payday, his name began appearing in trade rumors as soon as the 2023 deadline, only to be halted after elbow injuries cost him two months of that season. While Tommy John cost him hopes of a massive contract this time around, Heyman says Bieber had offers to make more money elsewhere, but wanted to stay in Cleveland.
Per Passan, Bieber's base salary for 2024 will be $10 million, with an additional $4 million guaranteed if he does not pick up his player option. The thinking is if he were to pitch well this season and finish healthy, then he could opt out and set himself up for a long-term deal going into 2026.
Since making his debut in 2018, Bieber has won 62 games with a 3.22 ERA and 958 strikeouts. The right-hander earned All-Star Game MVP honors at Progressive Field in 2019 and has finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting three separate times.
