Shane Bieber's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Although one general manager said the Cleveland Guardians are still talking about star right-hander Shane Bieber, the latest word is that a trade involving Bieber is very unlikely. The Guardians have a shot to win the weak American League Central division in 2024. The 28-year-old had a down season in 2023, mainly due to an elbow injury, going 6-6 with a 3.80 ERA (3.87 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP while walking 34 and striking out 107 in 128 innings over just 21 starts. It's the second time in three years he's missed significant time due to injury, and although Bieber was the Cy Young winner in 2020 and one of the best pitchers in the game in 2022, it's concerning that his strikeout rate (20.1%), hard-hit rate (47.6%) and average exit velocity (91.6 mph) were all career-worsts. Bieber could still bounce back in 2024 with better health, but he could also be in the beginning of his decline.

The Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Shane Bieber have avoided arbitration with a one-year, $13.125 million deal for the 2024 season. The right-hander dealt with injuries that limited him to 21 starts in the 2023 season but he still managed a solid 3.80 ERA in that time. That figure is below the 2020 Cy Young winner's lofty standard as he sports a career 3.27 ERA and his 2023 figure marks his worst number since posting a 4.55 ERA as a rookie in 2018. However, the 28-year-old's most noticeable drop came in his strikeout rate which dipped to just 20.1% versus his 27.8% career mark and a massive 41.1% clip in his COVID-shortened 2020 Cy Young season. Fantasy managers will certainly hope he can regain his strikeout stuff and return to full form (and health) in the 2024 campaign.

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber is less likely to be traded now than he was at the start of the offseason. Bieber will become a free agent at the end of the 2024 season and plays for a team that plans on contending for division titles in upcoming seasons. The more likely scenario is that the Guardians hang onto Bieber until the trade deadline in August if Cleveland falls out of the playoff race early. The 28-year-old two-time All-Star and former American League Cy Young winner in 2020 missed some time with an elbow injury in 2023 and wasn't particularly effective down the stretch, ultimately finishing with his highest ERA (3.80) since his rookie season in 2018. Bieber is a solid bet to bounce back as a solid fantasy starter in 2024, but career-worsts in strikeout rate (20.1%), hard-hit rate (47.6%) and average exit velocity allowed (91.6 mph) are causes for concern.