The Cleveland Guardians, after a rough June and the beginning of July, look to be firm sellers come the MLB trade deadline. If they continue to lose games, selling is more than just a possibility; it'd be a likely scenario.
Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal also sees a future where the team sells, and if they do, they could sell off an injured starting pitcher. That player, who hasn't pitched this season, is a Cy Young Award winner and two-time All-Star, Shane Bieber.
"Maybe Shane Bieber won't throw a pitch for the Guardians this season at all." Lewis wrote, "He is one of the most intriguing players who could be moved at the deadline this season."
Of course, with Bieber out with an injury and recently suffering a setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, teams might be hesitant to land the former ace. Bieber might not be ready until late August for a team, and landing him in July is a scary scenario.
However, if there is any team that knows the risk of such a move, it's the Guardians. Last season, they landed an injured Alex Cobb, who, up until the trade deadline, hadn't pitched that season.
He finished the year strong for Cleveland. While it's not the same scenario, the Guardians could use their own risk as an example for why another team should pull off such a deal.
MORE: Guardians listening to trade inquiries for All-Star Steven Kwan
Part of why the Guardians might consider moving Bieber is due to his future in the organization past this season. He has a $16 million player option in 2026, and he could very easily opt out of coming back.
Bieber is, effectively, on an expiring contract. With the injury he's dealing with, there's significant uncertainty with his future in baseball and Cleveland. To get any value from him would be a solid return for the Guardians.
While he has a strong history, a 3.22 career ERA, and a .660 winning percentage in his seven-year career, this injury is a major cause for concern. Moving on from him could net a prospect and free up some money in the long run.
A team like the Boston Red Sox could be interested in Bieber, as they're looking for starting pitching. The San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, and many other starting-pitching needy teams could be interested in the Guardians' All-Star.
His resume is strong enough to warrant interest, and if he were to be available, there would be some teams who'd, at the very least, check in on how much the Guardians starter would cost.
Regardless of how much he'd cost, the former Guardians Cy Young Award winner could draw some interest at the deadline. If the Guardians decide to sell, Lewis sees a Bieber deal as a potential trade that could happen at this year's MLB trade deadline.
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