Off to a rough start, the Cleveland Guardians aren’t scoring runs. Trading ace Shane Bieber now may bring a powerful bat to help the offense.

The Cleveland Guardians seem stuck in a rut.

If the Guardians were an automobile, they would be trying to drive with the gear shift stuck in neutral. They can’t go anywhere.

The team belted three home runs, and scored 12 runs on 17 hits May 31, which was their biggest offensive outburst of the season. It was a great game. But, will that offense continue?

The Guardians are fortunate to be playing in the American League Central, a division of mediocre teams, playing mediocre baseball.

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If it isn’t one thing, it’s another with a Cleveland baseball team that finds itself in 3rd place in the American League Central, with a record of 25-30.

The offense has been anemic for several seasons. Scoring runs has been a challenge. So far this year, the team has scored 200 runs, placing them tied for last place with Oakland in Major League Baseball.

The team was not built around power hitting. In fact, the Guardians have hit just 33 home runs, last in baseball.

Fangraphs lists the Guardians estimated payroll at $93 million, and that amount is an increase from the recent past.

For some time, the Guardians strongest suit has been their pitching.

Cleveland has won games with a strong rotation and a credible, better than average bullpen.

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Offensive Help On The Farm?

One might think the farm system could provide offensive firepower the Guardians need.

In fact, through aggressive promotions of consequential minor league players that began last year, the farm system is relatively void of major league ready offensive players.

George Valera, 22, a powerful outfielder assigned to Triple-A Columbus, has been placed on the Injured List for the second time this year.

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Valera waited to start this season while recovering from surgery to remove a hamate bone from his right hand. Now, he is back on the Injured List with a hamstring injury.

Jhonkensy Noel, 21, is a big, strong corner infielder/outfielder with power. He is very raw, and isn’t polished defensively. While he shows promise, he likely needs more development before he graduates to the big leagues.

If the Guardians are to find power, and potentially more offense, they have to engage in a major trade.

To this writer, their best chance to add offense rests with trading starting pitcher Shane Bieber.

To be clear, it would probably be very difficult for the Guardians to trade Bieber anytime soon if they feel they can make the playoffs. Very difficult. However, to this writer, it makes great sense.

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About Shane Bieber:

Right-hander Shane Bieber, who turned 28 June 1, is in the prime of his career.

By virtually every standard, Bieber remains a quality starter.

Bieber has been an All Star twice; in 2019, when he was named the All Star MVP, and again in 2021.

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Bieber won the American League Cy Young Award in 2020, the pandemic shortened season.

Bieber’s salary is $10.01 million, which is an incredible bargain in today’s game.

Bieber has one more year of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent following the 2024 season.

According to Brooksbaseball.net, Bieber’s fastball velocity has declined three miles per hour since he sat at 94.10 MPH in July, 2020. He now sits at 91 MPH. He is more dependent than ever upon crafty breaking balls and savvy pitch sequencing.

It remains to be seen if the Guardians will be able to meet Bieber’s final arbitration asking price.

If the two sides don’t agree on a contract amount, Bieber could force an arbitration hearing. At that point, Cleveland loses all control of Bieber’s contract.

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Wouldn’t it be better to trade Bieber now, before he reaches his final arbitration contract, and before he potentially hits free agency at the end of 2024?

And wouldn’t Bieber fetch much more in trade if the other team had a minimum of two playoff seasons with Bieber in their rotation?

To this old scout, the answers are simple. Yes. And yes.

Similar to star pitchers in the Cleveland organization that have flirted with free agency before, Bieber’s contract demands may not meet the needs of Guardians ownership. Or, Bieber may want to test his value on the open market.

One remembers Cliff Lee, Bartolo Colon, C.C. Sabathia, Corey Kluber, and Trevor Bauer, to name a few impact starters traded by Cleveland prior to the pitcher reaching free agency.

The Guardians have a very high quality group of young, controllable starting pitchers that will provide the team with depth for years to come. They can rely on those young starters if they choose to trade Bieber. They include:

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Tanner Bibee

Logan T. Allen

Gavin Williams

Joey Cantillo

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Xzavion Curry

Daniel Espino

Hunter Gaddis

Triston McKenzie

Cody Morris

Cal Quantrill

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Each is in different stages of development. And they still have Aaron Civale, who can help form a bridge to the prospect starters.

It is better to realize a return for a pitcher like Shane Bieber as opposed to watching him walk out the door, sign with another team, and get nothing but fond memories in his wake.

For Cleveland, the time to trade Bieber might be this summer, even before the August 1 trade deadline.

To enter the playoffs, Cleveland will probably have to win their division, as the American League East and West both have formidable clubs with playoff aspirations.

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Potential Trade Partners:

The Guardians would likely want to trade Bieber out of the American League.

This writer has identified several teams with a player or players that could serve as the “focal point” or a component of any Bieber trade.

St. Louis Cardinals:

Jordan Walker-3B/OF

Jose Ramos-OF

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Los Angeles Dodgers:

James Outman-OF

Andy Pages-OF

Joshua DeParker-OF (if a third player is added)

Milwaukee Brewers:

Jackson Chourio-OF

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Jace Avina-OF

Arizona Diamondbacks:

Druw Jones-OF

Ivan Melendez-OF

Washington Nationals:

James Wood-OF

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San Francisco Giants:

Grant McCray-OF

Vaun Brown-OF

To this scout, the St. Louis Cardinals match up best with Cleveland. Yes, Jordan Walker is a terrific prospect. Shane Bieber is a fine, proven pitcher, and one the Cardinals would have for two postseasons. To get Bieber, the price will be high. One can’t assume the Cardinals would trade Walker, but Bieber is the type of pitcher the Cardinals need.

Other Cardinals players that interest this writer include third baseman/second baseman Nolan Gorman, outfielder Moises Gomez, and outfielder/first baseman Juan Yepez.

Another Brewers player that interests this writer is Garrett Mitchell.

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Washington would have to add at least one prospect of the Guardians liking.

Conclusions:

Power has eluded the Cleveland Guardians for some time.

Minor league players with the best power options are still in development.

As a result, with outstanding organizational pitching depth, the Guardians may wish to trade All Star Shane Bieber, sooner than later.

The return for Bieber could add a significant, young, team controllable power bat to the Guardians roster.

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