Shane Bieber avoids arbitration with Guardians, agrees to $13,125,000 deal, AP source says

By TOM WITHERS

Shane Bieber and the Guardians have avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a $13,125,000 contract for next season, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Jan. 11.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.

Teams and players were set to exchange proposed arbitration salaries later Jan. 11.

Bieber, who was limited to 21 starts last season because of an elbow injury, finalized his deal ahead of the deadline, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team has not announced any agreements.

Bieber made $10.1 million last season.

The 28-year-old Bieber has been the subject of trade speculation the past two seasons, and the right-hander may have been moved last year had he not gotten hurt.

While he’s been their staff ace for several seasons, the Guardians know they probably can’t afford to sign Bieber to a long-term deal, which is they’ve considered trading him before he’s eligible for free agency.

The AL Cy Young Award winner in 2020, Bieber went 6-6 in 2023 with a 3.80 ERA. In six years with Cleveland, he’s 60-32 with a 3.27 ERA and has been an All-Star twice.

The Guardians have six other arbitration-eligible players: first baseman Josh Naylor, starter Triston McKenzie and relievers Scott Barlow, James Karinchak, Sam Hentges and Nick Sandlin.