SI

Guardians Sign Top Pitcher Tanner Bibee to Five-Year Extension

Cleveland is keeping part of its young core around.

Patrick Andres

Tanner Bibee sits in the dugout after the Guardians' 2024 elimination.
Tanner Bibee sits in the dugout after the Guardians' 2024 elimination. / David Dermer-Imagn Images
In this story:

Five days before their season opener, the Cleveland Guardians have moved to lock up a piece of their core.

The Guardians have signed pitcher Tanner Bibee to a five-year extension with a team option for the 2030 season, they announced Saturday afternoon. Per Zack Meisel of The Athletic, the deal will guarantee Bibee at least $48 million and buy out at least one of his free-agent years.

Bibee, 26, is entering his third full season in the majors. He has proven a serviceable top-of-the-rotation arm through his first two, going 10-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 2023 and 12-8 with a 3.47 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 2024.

In '23, he was the runner-up for American League Rookie of the Year behind Baltimore Orioles third baseman, shortstop and designated hitter Gunnar Henderson.

Cleveland, the defending AL Central champion, is scheduled to open its season Thursday against the Kansas City Royals.

More MLB on Sports Illustrated

Published
Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .

Home/MLB