With the MLB trade deadline right around the corner, the Cleveland Guardians could have a busy end of the month. After the gambling investigation into Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians could look to move on from more players than previously thought.
In a recent piece from Jeff Passan of ESPN, Passan predicted the Guardians and Chicago Cubs would swing a deal involving a player who’d be an exciting trade target. That player is former Cy Young starter Shane Bieber.
“Chicago needs to land at least one starting pitcher at this deadline, and the former AL Cy Young winner is very available.” Passan writes. “
The Guardians starter hasn’t pitched in the majors yet this season, but has shown promise pitching in the minors so far in 2025. He has one more outing on Tuesday, July 29th, before the trade deadline.
If all goes well, his trade market could pick up in the last two days before the deadline passes. For the Cubs, who are in desperate need of starting pitching, Bieber would be a reasonable player to acquire.
While the markets for Sandy Alcantara, Joe Ryan, and Edward Cabrera are likely costly, in the words of Passan, Bieber’s won’t be, “… and the acquisition cost won’t be nearly as prohibitive as that of other pitchers on the market.”
MORE: Guardians make trade deadline decision on 2.33 ERA reliever
But, as he’s missed significant time with Tommy John surgery, there’s a lot of risk. But according to Passan, “It’s a risk a team like the Cubs should feel plenty comfortable taking.”
Bieber is going to hit free agency in the offseason, and the two-time All-Star and Gold Glove starter will likely command a strong market, even coming off injury.
The 30-year-old has a career 3.22 ERA, and across 136 starts and 843 innings, has 958 strikeouts. He’s been one of the better pitchers since his debut in 2018, and should receive plenty of interest at the deadline this year.
Adding a starting pitcher at the trade deadline will be costly no matter what way it’s sliced. But, taking a chance and trading for Bieber could be a riskier, but cheaper path to take. Passan predicts the Cubs would do just that, and could bring in the former Cy Young Award-winner to their rotation amid the team’s postseason hunt.
MORE MLB NEWS:
