REPORT: Guardians, Shane Bieber Avoid Arbitration With One-Year Deal
At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber entered his third arbitration-eligible year.
However, the two parties have now reportedly come to an agreement to avoid an arbitration hearing.
According to MLB Network insider and New York Post baseball columnist Jon Heyman, Bieber has agreed to a one-year, $13.125 million contract with the Guardians for the 2024 season.
Cleveland.com Guardians beat writer Paul Hoynes also confirmed Heyman’s report.
Bieber is one of Cleveland’s seven arbitration-eligible players this offseason, which include first baseman Josh Naylor, fellow starting pitcher Triston McKenzie, and recently-acquired reliever Scott Barlow.
Jun 23, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Progressive Field.
© Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Bieber was limited to just 21 starts last season after suffering inflammation in his pitching elbow this past July. He ultimately finished the 2023 campaign with a 6-6 record, tallying a 3.80 ERA, 107 strikeouts, one complete game, a 1.23 WHIP, and a .253 opposing batting average.
However, the 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner gave the team an encouraging end of last season, as he made two starts in late September.
His final start of the year was a strong outing against the Cincinnati Reds on September 27, when he allowed five hits, one earned run, and no walks, while throwing seven strikeouts in six innings of work.
The 28-year-old has been a pillar of Cleveland’s starting rotation throughout his Major League career so far.
In his six MLB seasons, all with the Guardians, he has made 134 appearances (132 starts), going 60-32 with a 3.27 ERA, 938 strikeouts, five complete games, two shutouts, a 1.12 WHIP, and a .236 opposing batting average.
