“Shane Bieber’s Return: A Potential Game-Changer for the Guardians in the Upcoming MLB Season”
The likelihood of Shane Bieber starting the season with the Guardians has shifted from a possibility to a highly probable scenario. If this unfolds, he stands a chance to secure his fifth consecutive opening day start on March 28 in Oakland.
A healthy Bieber not only holds significance for the Guardians but also for his individual performance. With Cleveland pitchers and catchers set to report to spring training in just 30 days, this season marks a new era under manager Stephen Vogt, aiming to bounce back from a 76-86 third-place finish in the AL Central in Terry Francona’s final managerial season.
Bieber, who could have been a trade prospect at last season’s deadline, faced challenges as he suffered a right elbow injury in late July. Although he made two solid starts towards the end of the season, it appears it wasn’t sufficient to convince other MLB teams that the former Cy Young winner had fully recovered.
The offseason saw an abundance of quality arms available through free agency and trades, including notable pitchers like Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Mike Clevinger, Michael Lorenzen, Julio Urias, and Hyun-Jin Ryu. Some have signed, while others remain available.
If Bieber can replicate his 2022 resurgence following a right shoulder injury in 2021, he could become a valuable trade asset at the deadline while enhancing his free-agent value at the season’s end. Regardless, his performance would significantly contribute to the Guardians’ competitiveness in the AL Central, which is currently projected with early win totals by BetonLine as follows: Twins 85 wins, Tigers 78 wins, Guardians 77 wins, Royals 71 wins, and White Sox 63 wins.
The AL Central, historically not as competitive as the AL East or NL West, appears more diluted than ever. The 2023 season witnessed the Royals losing 106 games and the White Sox 101. Rosters are now dominated by younger players, lacking quality veterans. While the Twins, the reigning Central champions, haven’t made significant improvements this winter, the Guardians, despite trading and losing pitchers, have potential with the return of Bieber and Triston McKenzie.
The Guardians’ front office hasn’t made extensive offensive upgrades this winter, but the return of Bieber and McKenzie could transform the rotation into a formidable force. The bullpen also received a boost with the acquisition of Scott Barlow, expected to support set-up man Trevor Stephan and closer Emmanuel Clase.
Cleveland’s bullpen, despite blowing 34 saves last year, led the Central with a 3.79 ERA and 47 saves. Clase topped the majors with 44 saves and 12 blown saves. Pitching remains the backbone of the Guardians, and having a healthy Shane Bieber leading the staff, regardless of his future with the team, is undoubtedly a positive development.
Names to remember:
– Former Indians DH, Franmil Reyes, is reportedly in negotiations to join the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan.
– Anthony Santander, once a Cleveland farmhand lost in the Rule 5 Draft, sidestepped arbitration with the Orioles, securing a one-year deal valued at $11.7 million.
– Tony Mansolino, a seasoned minor league coach and former manager for Cleveland, returns this year as Baltimore’s third base coach.
– Guardians infielder Brayan Rocchio, who celebrated his 23rd birthday on Saturday, boasts an impressive .377 batting average (23 for 61) with seven doubles and one homer for La Guaira in Venezuela this winter.
– The Rays traded outfielder Luke Raley, an alumnus of Lake Erie College in Painesville, to Seattle after hitting 19 homers in 357 at-bats last season.
– Former Guardians Shawn Armstrong and Civale avoided arbitration with the Rays by securing one-year deals valued at $2.05 million and $4.058 million, respectively.
