Dodgers Rumors: Insider Thinks LA Could Trade for Former Cy Young Award Winner Ahead of Deadline
Despite the Dodgers success over their last two games, shutting out the Angels in consecutive games, they still need some help in the pitching department. They have a clear weakness in the bullpen and have dealt with a ton of injuries to their starting rotation. It's something that the team will need to address over the next few weeks leading up to the trade deadline.
But this could be a slower deadline in terms of available options due to teams not wanting to be sellers. However, MLB insider Mark Feinsand listed some players that he believes will become available as the deadline approaches. One of those is Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber and Feinsand sees LA as one of the top landing spots.
"Bieber will be in a position to earn a raise from his $10 million salary in his final year of arbitration next winter, there’s a chance the Guardians could move him if they don’t view themselves as true championship contenders. Bieber, the 2020 AL Cy Young winner, has allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine of his 15 starts this season, throwing a league-high 95 innings."
This season, Bieber has posted an ERA of 3.51 with 69 strikeouts over 95 innings pitched. He isn't the same pitcher as he once was but can still be more than effective enough to win ball games. The price for him could be reasonable and the Guardians would have every reason to move him now while his value is still high.
Cleveland isn't the type of franchise that typically signs their better players to long-term deals. Bieber is about to enter his final season of arbitration next season and after that, the Guardians could lose him. What is the likelihood that they re-sign him? Probably pretty low.
The Guardians have been great at drafting and developing pitchers so losing Bieber would sting a little but it could help their future to trade him. With another year on his deal, teams may be more willing to give more in return.
Bieber would bring some stability to the Dodgers rotation and could provide them a nice option to throw out every five days. He still has good stuff on the mound and could play in the role of the shut down right-hander.
LA should absolutely go get Bieber if the price is decent enough. These next few weeks will tell us a lot about how far the Dodgers could potentially go this season.
