Blue Jays obtain Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber before the MLB trade deadline.

Shane Bieber Traded to Blue Jays

The 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner, Shane Bieber, is set to join the Toronto Blue Jays after being traded from the Cleveland Guardians. This move was officially announced by the team on Thursday.

Bieber, who is 30 years old, has yet to make a start this season as he is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent last year.

In recent free agency, Bieber signed a one-year contract with the Guardians, which reportedly includes options that could total up to $10 million by 2026.

Last season, his performance was limited; he made only two appearances before needing surgery due to pain in his elbow. Thankfully, since that initial setback, he has been progressing well in his rehabilitation, participating in four rehab starts in July across different leagues.

During his last rehab start, he threw 57 pitches, suggesting that his return to the field could happen in August.

Bieber has spent his entire seven-year major league career with the Guardians. However, the Blue Jays, currently leading the American League East, are hoping that if Bieber can regain form, he would be a significant boost to their rotation.

The Blue Jays have an existing lineup of starting pitchers, including Kevin Gorman and Max Scherzer, yet they’ve struggled with pitching depth. If Bieber performs well, it could be just what the team needs.

On the flip side, the Guardians are sitting at .500 and are potentially looking to trade other players before the season’s deadline, as they find themselves behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

Cal Stephen, the player traded to the Guardians, is a promising young pitcher. At just 22, he was a second-round pick in the 2024 MLB draft and has posted impressive stats this season, with a 9-1 record and a 2.06 ERA in 17 starts.