Dodgers Have ‘Checked In’ With Guardians Regarding Shane Bieber
When Los Angeles Dodgers CEO Stan Kasten said the team wasn’t done improving after a billion-dollar December spending spree, he wasn’t kidding. The Dodgers have done more than any team this off-season to make the 20’s their decade.
Los Angeles’ starting rotation is already loaded, but lacks major league experience beyond recently acquired right-hander Tyler Glasnow and returning ace Walker Buehler. Pitchers and catchers are still more than a month away from reporting to spring training, and the Dodgers’ front office wouldn’t mind adding a veteran arm to that mix.
According to Dodgers insider Juan Toribio, the Dodgers “checked in” with the Cleveland Guardians on former Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber.
Los Angeles has checked in with the Guardians on Shane Bieber, who will be a free agent at the end of the ‘24 season. The Guardians are a tough team to deal with, however, and don’t necessarily have to move the right-hander.
per Juan Toribio via MLB.com
Bieber has one more season of team control and is still only 28 years old. In six seasons, Bieber has already panned out an excellent career for himself. He won the 2020 American League Cy Young award. He’s also won a Gold Glove, pitching’s triple crown, and is a two-time All-Star.
The Orange native saw his performance regress in 2023, when he finished 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 21 starts. Bieber did not pitch between July 9 and Sept. 22 because of right elbow inflammation.
If the elbow injury did not impede his arm strength, it’s possible it affected Bieber’s command. Although his velocity was basically unchanged from 2022, his walk rate rose, as did the contact rate on each of his pitches. Perhaps the Dodgers’ scouts and performance staff identified a correctable flaw that led to their interest in the 28-year-old right-hander.
The Dodgers have said they would do their best to improve even after getting Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and they weren’t kidding. Although it’s been a slow-paced offseason in general, Dodger fans have plenty to be ecstatic about.
Even if the discussions around Bieber prove fruitless, don’t be surprised if another established starting pitcher makes his way to Los Angeles.
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One starter for one year is what they need. In 2025 they have returning to the mound Ohtani, Gonsolin, Dustin May, maybe Kershaw and several prospects who seem like they might be ready to join the rotation, too (Gavin Stone, Michael Grove, Frasso, Landon Knack Hurt, etc. surely one or more of whom would deserve to be starting somewhere in MLB.) In 2025 the problem will be too many qualified starters; they will need a 10-man rotation. And the very best might be Sasaki, if he is posted.
I believe it would be a great move to trade forShane Bieber and Emmanuel Clase. We have a deep enough farm system, and possibly pluck a someone on the 40 man roster. This would fill a glaring need. If Emmanuel Clase would not be a part in the deal, the full press to acquire Josh Hader. We need a closer! We also need a left fielder and Teoscar Hernandez would round out the glaring needs. These moves would stop our playoff loses and give us a REAL chance to win another World Series. I have been a faithful Dodgers fan for over 50+ years, and I really think these areas need major upgrades.
I have been a Dodger since 1964, We do not need Josh Hader at 20 million plus per year. If we are going too spend more money, then I believe we should sign Hernandez for his Right handed bat and look to trade for an available pitcher before the year starts. We have plenty of time to find someone, if not Shane Beiber. And giving them for three career minor leaguers (Vargas, Busch and Gavin Stone or Michael Grove) would be good for the franchise and for these players to get another start. Heck, throw in Margot if it makes a difference…
If the Dodgers are going to make a trade then they should make a huge splash. I agree with Big DodgerBlue but I think he has his sites on the wrong pitcher …. Take Vargas,Busch,Stone and Emmitt Sheehan and try to get Luis Castillo and Logan Gilbert from the Mariners. Busch fills the need a 3rd base they have since they traded Suarez and Vargas fills the need at 2nd base that they have had since Robinson Cano left, by getting 2 starting pitchers in return with years left on contracts it would lessen the pain of losing 2 good pitchers and 2 hitters this move would set the Dodgers up for a 6 man rotation then once Kershaw comes back they would have a starter that could be available(not Kershaw) … Buehler,Yamamoto,Glasgow, Castillo,Gilbert & Miller ….