Guardians’ Shane Bieber Likely to Exit After 2024 Injury Setback

Bieber's Elbow Injury Impacts Contract Negotiations

Shane Bieber, the Cleveland Guardians' ace pitcher, is likely to leave the team after the 2024 season due to an elbow injury that has affected his pitching performance and contract negotiations.

The 27-year-old right-hander is entering the final year of his current contract with the Guardians, and negotiations on a contract extension have been put on hold due to concerns about his elbow.

Injury History

Bieber has struggled with elbow injuries throughout his career. In 2019, he missed significant time due to a right elbow strain. He returned in 2020 and won the American League Cy Young Award, but he missed the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

After his surgery, Bieber rehabilitated and returned to the mound in 2022. He made 29 starts and posted a 3.81 ERA, but he was not as dominant as he was before his injury.

Bieber's velocity has decreased, and he has not been able to throw his curveball with the same effectiveness. This has raised concerns about his long-term health and ability to perform at a high level.

Contract Negotiations

The Guardians were reportedly willing to offer Bieber a contract extension worth around $100 million over five years. However, the injury concerns have made the team hesitant to commit to a long-term deal.

Bieber's agent, Scott Boras, has indicated that his client is seeking a contract that is comparable to other top pitchers in the league. However, with the injury concerns, it is unlikely that Bieber will receive a deal of that magnitude.

Future Outlook

If Bieber does leave the Guardians after the 2024 season, he will likely sign a one-year contract with another team to prove his health and regain his previous form.

If he is able to do that, he could potentially sign a more lucrative long-term contract in the future. However, his injury history will make it difficult for him to secure a long-term deal that meets his expectations.