The New York Yankees are actively searching the trade market and considering their internal options to find a replacement for ace pitcher Gerrit Cole, who appears to have sustained an injury to his pitching elbow after some short throwing sessions this spring.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the team is revisiting discussions with the Chicago White Sox about possibly acquiring their ace Dylan Cease via trade, but negotiations haven’t yielded an agreement yet. Josh Wilson, in a piece for FanSided, speculated on potential “emergency replacements” for Gerrit Cole in the rotation, suggesting that the Yankees might explore a trade with the Cleveland Guardians for Shane Bieber, a two-time All-Star.
Wilson suggested that given New York’s potential urgency to secure a reliable arm for their rotation, they might offer prospects that could make the deal enticing for Cleveland.
Are the Cleveland Guardians Prepared to Trade Shane Bieber to the New York Yankees?
The Cleveland Guardians have been viewed as potential sellers for Shane Bieber, as he is set to become a free agent after the current season and is anticipated to command a contract in the ballpark of $95 million over five years, as per Tim Britton of The Athletic. MLB insider Jon Heyman suggested that Cleveland, with a shot at winning the AL Central in 2024, might be hesitant to trade Bieber. However, the Yankees’ newfound urgency could alter that stance.
According to Wilson’s report, it seems the Guardians tested the trade market for Bieber but ultimately didn’t find an offer to their liking, leading them to withdraw him from consideration.
As Nightengale has noted, the Yankees have been reluctant to include their second-ranked prospect, Spencer Jones, in discussions for Dylan Cease. If a deal for Bieber can be negotiated without including Jones, it could increase the likelihood of a trade with the Guardians.
Shane Bieber Can Bolster the New York Yankees Rotation Without Gerrit Cole
Bieber’s performance has somewhat declined since his remarkable 2020 season when he achieved the MLB pitching triple crown, leading in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. He also earned the Cy Young Award and All-MLB first team honors. However, in 2023, his ERA increased to 3.80, and he recorded the fewest strikeouts of his career with 107.
Despite this, his stats still place him in line with Cease. Cease may hold more value as he’s owed just $8 million in 2024 and has another year of club control remaining, whereas Bieber is set to earn $13.125 million next season before becoming a free agent.
However, if the Yankees simply need a temporary replacement for Cole in 2024, Bieber could serve as a rental. This might be preferable for the Yankees compared to giving up Jones or signing one of the top options remaining in the free-agent market.
Wilson highlighted another advantage of a trade over a free-agent signing: the Yankees wouldn’t be subject to the 110% luxury tax rate that applies to free-agent signings. For instance, Blake Snell would cost them more than double what they’d pay him on the open market, whereas a trade wouldn’t incur such significant financial repercussions.
