Shane Bieber trade grades: Who won the Blue Jays and Guardians deal?
The solution? They made a 2025 MLB trade deadline deal for Shane Bieber (not to be confused with Justin Bieber), the Cleveland Guardians vet who hasn't thrown in a Major League game in 2025 as he's spent time rehabbing in the minors.
The former Cy Young winner in 2020 has struggled with injuries in recent years, with a stint on the IL in 2023, followed by Tommy John surgery in 2024. And this turned out to be a one-for-one trade, which makes a ton of sense given his contract situation.
As we're doing with all the major trade deadline deals, we're grading this one for both sides. Let's break it down:
Blue Jays and Guardians trade details
Blue Jays get: RHP Shane Bieber
Guardians get: RHP Khal Stephen
Blue Jays trade grade
Sometimes, it's as simple as: Have need, go fill it. The Jays could use another frontline starter to compete in the AL East and beyond, so here's Bieber. There's some risk involved with the fact that he's a bit of a rental with a $16 million player option for 2026, along with the fact that he has pitched in the big leagues this year.
But that's a worthy gamble, and although they dealt a prospect with some promise, I'll say this is the right move for a team whose window doesn't open up that often.
GRADE: B+
Guardians trade grade
Hey, this is neat:
This would indicate some upside, and while the Guardians are at .500 and could be a player in the AL Wild Card race, leaning toward selling is the right way to go, especially with Bieber being a question mark. I like this move a lot.
GRADE: A-
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