MLB Rumors: 3 NL Teams Talking Shane Bieber Trade With Cleveland

The Cleveland Guardians made a stealth move bringing back Shane Bieber for two starts at the end of the 2023 season. According to MLB Insider Jon Morosi, it was intended to show trade partners around the league (and Bieber himself) that he was healthy again after missing more than two months with right elbow inflammation. 

It worked, as the former Guardians ace finished up with six stellar innings of one-run ball in his final start, striking out seven against no walks vs. the Cincinnati Reds. And guess who one of the teams interested in trading for Bieber now might be?

Cincinnati Reds

The Cubs and Reds are among the teams active in trade conversations for Cleveland’s Shane Bieber and Tampa Bay’s Tyler Glasnow, sources confirm. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 28, 2023

Morosi notes that those very same Reds and the Chicago Cubs are "active in trade conversations" with Cleveland on Bieber, as well as with the Tampa Bay Rays and Tyler Glasnow. 

But unlike Glasnow, Bieber is a former Cy Young winner (2020), and has shown on at least two occasions that he can stay healthy for an entire dominant season, most recently in 2022 when he put up a 2.88 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and a 198:36 strikeout to walk ratio. The Reds, in being shut down by Bieber this September, obviously feel like he can return to that dominance.

"That was important for him, and for the Guardians, that Bieber ended the year on the active roster healthy. So teams had a chance to watch Bieber pitch late. And I saw late in the season... there were scouts there from teams looking at him to make sure that he was healthy. And overall, the returns were pretty good.”

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are another team looking to fortify their rotation, especially with the possible defection of free agent Marcus Stroman. Bieber would be a solid add to a rotation that features Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, and Jameson Taillon.

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants are also in the mix for Bieber, as they, too, look to make some noise this winter. 

Morosi also mentions the San Diego Padres as a suitor, so the Guardians have some options, and a Bieber trade seems likely. 

Photo: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports