The Los Angeles Dodgers could reportedly sign right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians, who will become a free agent in the offseason.
The 29-year-old is considered one of the best free agents on the market, but isn’t expected to be back on the mound until next summer. His imminent return makes the pitcher a gamble. There is no confirmation that he will continue to play at a high level.
Bieber suffered an elbow injury that sidelined him for most of the 2024 season and was season-ending. It was a heartbreaking injury, as Bieber’s starts on the mound this season were reminiscent of his 2020 Cy Young Award-winning season in the American League.
The Dodgers’ rotation could use a reliable pitcher like Bieber. The current team has been hampered by countless injuries this season. It’s obvious that the Dodgers don’t have enough reinforcements for their starting lineup and a former Cy Young Award winner could make all the difference.
Bieber was a No. 1 starter for the Guardians. The loss of the right-hander was tough on the entire organization. Guardians President of Baseball Operations Chris Antonetti shared his thoughts on Bieber’s season-ending injury in April.
“First of all, we feel bad for Shane,” Antonetti told MLB.com’s Mandy Bell. “There’s a lot of things he’s having to process and work through mentally right now because he’s so focused on pitching and contributing to the team. And not being able to do that has really hit him.”
Bieber’s season-ending injury was the second injury to sideline him in the past two seasons, and it’s obvious that the pitcher has had to overcome a lot of adversity over the past two years.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt had high praise for the right-hander, particularly praising his work ethic and performance despite two consecutive injuries.
“The amount of work this guy has done over the last few years, the things he’s gone through, that’s a testament to who he is,” Vogt said. “The level of empathy and pain that I feel for Shane, for Shane, that’s what speaks the loudest right now.”
Bieber’s future with the Guardians is uncertain, but the former AL Cy Young Award winner could move to a National League West team in the offseason. Dodgers fans would be thrilled if Los Angeles landed an elite pitcher like Bieber as a free agent, even if it would require a two-year deal and waiting for his return toward the end of the 2024 season.
