Blue Jays Upgrade Rotation Adding Cy Young Winner

Shane Bieber, the 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner, is being traded by the Cleveland Guardians to the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays will send pitching prospect Khal Stephen, ranked No. 9 on Keith Law’s preseason team rankings, to the Guardians in exchange.

Bieber, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2024, recently made a rehab start for Double-A Akron, pitching 58 pitches over four innings with seven strikeouts. The Guardians decided to trade him as interest from contenders grew due to a lack of top-tier starting pitchers on the trade market.

The 30-year-old Bieber has a history of injuries but has been a prolific pitcher in the past. He is set to earn $10 million this season with a player option for $16 million in 2025, which he is likely to decline. The Guardians could have kept him and submitted a qualifying offer this winter, but they chose to trade him to the Jays.

In return for Bieber, the Blue Jays are acquiring Khal Stephen, a 22-year-old right-handed pitcher who has shown dominance in the minor leagues. Stephen quickly rose through Toronto’s system and is considered a promising prospect.

The trade is seen as a win-win for both teams. The Jays are adding depth to their rotation with Bieber's return from injury, while the Guardians are shedding salary and acquiring a highly regarded pitching prospect in Stephen. The move is part of the Jays' strategy to strengthen their pitching staff as they aim to compete in the AL East.