BREAKING TRADE: Blue Jays Add Former Cy Young Winner
The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire right-hander Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN. The Jays have been looking for another starter, and they get one in the former AL Cy Young winner. On the news: @jonmorosi.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2025
It's a bit of a risk—one of those high-risk, high-reward deals—as Bieber has yet to pitch this season in the majors, and is rehabbing in the minors, after missing last season due to Tommy John surgery.
Toronto pays a big price for a pitcher who hasn't pitched in a year and a half, sending their No. 5 prospect Khal Stephen to Cleveland in return. Stephen is a 6'4", 22-year-old right-hander who has stormed through the minors, and is currently at Double-A. He was a second-round pick in the 2024 Draft, and has a 2.06 ERA across three levels this year.
Bieber won the Cy Young for Cleveland in the shortened 2020 season, with a 1.63 ERA in 12 starts. His last full season was 2022, when he had a 2.88 ERA, and in 2023, he made 21 starts, with a 3.80 ERA. He showed greatly diminished peripherals that season, dropping to the 23rd percentile in K% and the 13th percentile in Fastball Velo, while allowing excessively hard contact, finishing in the 3rd percentile in Hard Hit%.
He struck out seven batters in four innings in his rehab start on Tuesday.
Bieber, 30, has a player option at $16 million for next season.
Photo: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
