Former Cleveland Guardians fan favorite Shane Bieber has yet to throw in a Major League baseball game this season, as the right-hander is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
The hope is for the now Toronto Blue Jays starter to get back on the mound sometime in the near future, but it remains uncertain when that might be.
Some, however, expect that to be over the next few weeks to months, as the Blue Jays certainly need that as they head into the postseason.
However, his long-term outlook in Major League Baseball may change, as Bieber will be a free agent again in the offseason.
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The Guardians signed him to a one-year deal, a contract that made sense for both sides. Bieber hoped to regain his value on the open market again this winter, while the Guardians hoped that he'd eventually be back for them and throw the baseball at the level he had for much of his career.
That obviously didn't work out, but he now has some interesting things to consider.
When searching for where things might end up, Bleacher Report recently predicted him to take a deal with the Los Angeles Angels for an irresponsible amount of money. Whether that means $50 million or $100 million only remains to be seen.
“Bieber's 2025 season debut should be coming soon. If the 2020 AL Cy Young winner finishes with a flourish, he'll decline his $16M player option for next season in order to make way more than that in free agency,” Kerry Miller wrote.
“(Prediction: Los Angeles Angels throw a slightly irresponsible amount of money at Bieber.)”
Depending on how Bieber throws the baseball towards the end of the year, it's possible he could be the best starter on the market. It doesn't seem likely, given Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez are free agents, but his stuff used to be some of the best in the league.