Shane Bieber’s injury raises doubts about Guardians' future

In a significant move for the Cleveland Guardians, Shane Bieber has returned to the team on a one-year contract worth $10 million. The deal includes a player option for 2026 valued at $16 million, with a possible $4 million buyout. This contract is particularly notable as it comes after Bieber's recovery from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent following a limited appearance in the 2024 season. Despite the surgery, with the prospect of a June or July return, Bieber remains a valuable investment for the Guardians based on his previous performance and potential upside. Bieber's pitching career includes a Cy Young Award received for the 2020 season, which was a shortened year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to his injury, he had a commendable 3.13 ERA over 70 starts post-Award, showing that he can perform at a high level in Major League Baseball. Notably, during the 2024 season, Bieber managed just two starts, totaling 12 scoreless innings with an impressive 20 strikeouts, reinforcing his capabilities as a top-tier pitcher. However, he also faced challenges, illustrated by a decline in fastball velocity to an average of 92 mph. This follows an overall downtrend in 2023, where key statistics indicated an upward challenge. Nonetheless, Bieber's history of effective command, along with an arsenal that includes notable pitches like a slider and a knuckle curveball, provides hope for his return to the mound. His reported plan for recovery emphasizes the possibility of reclaiming his status among the elite pitchers in the league, fostering an intriguing narrative as he embarks on this opportunity with the Guardians and works to overcome recent hurdles with his health.