REPORT: Guardians' Shane Bieber Drawing Interest Via Trade Market
The trade rumors surrounding Shane Bieber don't seem like they'll die down anytime soon. The Cleveland Guardians have obvious holes to fill and an abundance of starting pitching making a trade a lot of sense.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that the trade market for Bieber is starting to heat up and teams are exhibiting a level of appeal for the former Cy Young winner.
"I was told yesterday, several teams have been showing interest in Shane Bieber via the trade market," said Morosi.
Morosi even gave a time frame for when a potential trade could take place if the Guardians do decide to move on from Bieber.
"Now, because of what we would've talked about earlier in this conversation about all the different free agent starters out there, Bieber's trade if it happens is more likely to occur after the Winer Meetings than it is before because a lot of teams are saying, 'Well wait a minute, I'm not going to give up my prospects to upgrade my rotation now when I have a lot of free agent possibilities out there.'"
Morosi also went on to say that a big factor for teams interested in Bieber is that he was able to finish the season healthy. Yes, it was only two starts. But Bieber still showed them that he's not rehabbing this offseason taking away some concern on that front.
Sep 6, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) warms up during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
© Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
This was Morosi's final note on where a trade stands at this point in the offseason.
"Not right now. But if you think about the way that the Guardians always seem to find great, young starting pitching, Bibee, Williams, McKenzie's coming back. They probably have enough depth to move Bieber, and for that reason, teams are already calling the Guardians about him and I expect this market to intensify a few weeks from now."
It's important to remember that just a few weeks ago Cleveland's General Mike Chernoff said he "expects Shane to be in our rotation." However, he did not downplay being open about any trade opportunity.
