The Toronto Blue Jays have traded right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians for their top prospect, Khal Stephen. The trade will see a Cy Young Award-winning former player join the Blue Jays, and it's a strong move to bolster the Blue Jays' pitching rotation.
Shane Bieber, 30, has been an important cog in the Guardians' rotation since making his May 31, 2018, Major League debut. Bieber has a career 3.22 ERA with 958 strikeouts in 843 innings over 136 games, of which 134 were starts.
His highlight came in 2020 when he received the American League Cy Young Award. Bieber was overpowering in his two starts during April 2024, fanning 20 and giving up only a single walk in 12 scoreless innings.
But Bieber's 2024 season was interrupted by injury. Following those two wonderful starts, he had Tommy John surgery, which kept him out for much of the season. Even with that setback, the Guardians brought him back last December to a one-year, $10 million deal with a $16 million player option for 2026.
Khal Stephen was taken 56th overall in the 2024 draft and was the No. 5 prospect of the Toronto Blue Jays prior to being dealt. Nevertheless, he is at present on the injured list but should be back prior to the end of the summer.
To get Shane Bieber, the Blue Jays traded right-handed pitching prospect Khal Stephen. Although Stephen is a huge part of Toronto's future, the Blue Jays are hoping Bieber's established record and ability to contribute now.
Toronto's approach to prioritizing short-term competitiveness is shown through the trade given that Bieber has an option in 2026 for $16 million, which gives them flexibility.
Shane Bieber’s rehabilitation has been a focal point of his 2025 season. Initially targeting a late June or early July return, he faced a setback after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired right elbow following his first rehab start on May 31. After consulting with Dr. Keith Meister, the surgeon who performed the procedure, Bieber paused throwing for a week. Since then, he has been going along, making four rehab starts in July throughout the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, High-A Lake County, and Double-A Akron.
Tuesday's outing for Double-A Akron was a hopeful step in the right direction. Bieber threw 57 pitches in four innings, his longest rehab start to date. With his pitch count up, he's on schedule for a return to the Majors in early to mid-August.
