Opinion: Who Is The Guardians' Ace?

Tanner Bibee and Shane Bieber each have a strong case to be considered the Cleveland Guardians' ace.

The Cleveland Guardians are one of the best organizations in baseball when it comes to developing pitching. Just look at their current rotation and past starters such as Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, and Mike Clevinger.

Cleveland's 2024 rotation should once again be one of the team's main strengths. Right now, it's safe to assume that their rotation on Opening Day (barring any injuries or a last-minute trade) should be: Gavin Williams, Logan Allen, Tanner Bibee, Triston McKenzie, and Shane Bieber.

However, who in this group can be considered the team's ace heading into 2024? Let's get into it.

Gavin Williams

Gavin Williams had an impressive run towards the end of 2023 and is emerging as one of baseball's best young pitchers.  

The biggest thing holding him back from being considered this team's ace is experience. He had a late start compared to Allen and Bibee last season. Williams started 16 games and finished with an ERA of 3.29. 

We may be having another conversation come the end of 2024, but Williams needs to prove his talent a little bit longer to be considered Cleveland's ace. 

Logan Allen

Logan Allen flew under the radar in his rookie season because of the sensations that were Bibee and Williams. Still, Allen had an ERA of 3.81 in his 24 starts last season, which is more than respectable.

Allen did have his struggles though that he needs to overcome if he wants to be looked at as the team's number one. He struggled a lot with his pitch count last season, which cut a lot of his starts short. 

Triston McKenzie

Some thought that McKenzie could be the team's ace heading into the 2023 season after Sticks had a tremendous 2022 campaign. That could still be the case, but McKenzie has to find a way to stay on the mound. He only made four starts last season because of an elbow and shoulder injury.

McKenzie can't be considered the team's ace until he can put together a full, healthy season.

Aug 25, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee (61) throws a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports / © Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Tanner Bibee And Shane Bieber

The case for Cleveland's ace comes down to Bibee and Bieber. One is a proven veteran pitcher and the other is an upcoming future Cy Young candidate. Frankly, any organization would want either of them on the mound to open their season.

Bibee finished 2023 with a 2.98 ERA and was the runner-up in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. His biggest task in 2024 will be recreating this masterclass of a rookie season. Bibee will be seeing teams and hitters a second time, which means they'll have film and prior knowledge of his pitch mix, movement, etc. This could cause some problems for the second-year pitcher.

This makes Shane Bieber the Guardians ace heading into 2024.

No, Bieber is not the same pitcher he was after winning the Cy Young in 2020. However, his experience and résumé speak for themselves. He's still 28 years old and is poised to have a bounce-back year. 

Cleveland General Manager Mike Chernoff spoke about Bieber's health heading into the offseason and said he felt "great," which is a great sign for the team and fans.

Will Bieber still be considered Cleveland's ace by the end of the season? Only time will tell. But right now, he should be viewed as their number one.