Chris Creamer
2024 looked like it was going to be Shane Bieber’s bounce-back year. He was utterly dominant in his first two starts in Cleveland.
Then the worst news a pitcher can hear occurred.
Tommy John.
Bieber spent the last 16 months rehabbing from Tommy John in Cleveland, but after a disappointing first half to the season, he was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays for top-100 prospect Khal Stephen.
The Guardians had to make this deal. They acquired one of the fastest-rising pitching prospects in the minors for a player who’s missed most of the last two seasons. Not only that, Bieber had a player option on his contract, and if he played well, he most likely would have opted out to sign a long-term deal.
Friday was his first start back, and it looks like Cleveland would have been priced out of Bieber.
In his first major league start since needing to attain a Canadian visa, Bieber looked like he didn’t miss a beat: six innings, two hits, no walks, nine strikeouts and only 87 pitches.
The Marlins lineup, especially without Kyle Stowers, isn’t exactly full of world beaters, but this is precisely what you want to see if you’re a Blue Jays fan. A lot of the media was confused about the Blue Jays not really going all in at the deadline. The AL East is having somewhat of a down year, especially with the injuries the Yankees continue to pile up.
They added Louis Varland and Ty France, who are solid depth pieces, but Bieber was the crown jewel addition at the deadline. They paid a hefty price for someone who was really a question mark, but they might have found their playoff ace and a star they could even end up signing long term.
Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Eric Lauer have been solid this season, but nothing to write home about. None of them really feel like an arm you can ride to a World Series. With a healthy and dominant Bieber, one who is already reaching 95 mph with his fastball, the Blue Jays are officially a contender.
The Blue Jays are currently +1000 to win the World Series and +390 to win the American League. Now might be the time to bet on Toronto before the books adjust to them finding an ace.
