3 reasons the Cubs should consider trading for Shane Bieber

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With the 2023 MLB trade deadline coming on Aug. 1, trade rumors have begun swirling regarding potential deals and blockbuster trades. One of the latest examples is that the Cleveland Guardians may be considering a trade involving their ace starting pitcher Shane Bieber. Whether the Guardians end up being sellers or not is tricky since they are five games below .500, but just 2.5 games out of first place in the AL Central - arguably the worst division in baseball.

The only other division that could be worse is the NL Central, where the Cubs are sitting at a disappointing fourth place which calls into question their intentions at the deadline. However, I think if Bieber is on the market this year, the Cubs should at least consider bringing him to the North Side.

3 reasons the Cubs should pull off a Shane Bieber trade: #3 - This guy has near-limitless potential on the mound

In the recent past, Shane Bieber has been one of the better pitchers in the American League. Despite struggling in his rookie year, the right hander turned things around in 2019 where he finished fourth in Cy Young voting after throwing 214 innings with a 3.28 ERA.

In the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020, Bieber wound up taking home the coveted pitching award and he carried that success into last year. 2022 marked Bieber's best full season, in which he was one of just eight pitchers in MLB to reach 200 innings, which was coupled with a 2.88 ERA and 198 strikeouts.

Insert that kind of top-tier potential into the Chicago Cubs starting rotation, and you have three ace level starters in Bieber, Justin Steele and Marcus Stroman. If the Cubs are truly trying to get better and win in the next couple years, bringing in a player like Bieber would go a long way toward helping them achieve that goal.

3 reasons the Cubs should pull off a Shane Bieber trade: #2 - His stock is as low as it's ever been right now

With all this being said about Bieber's past, he is sort of having a mid-career crisis right now. According to a deep dive into his season by the Athletic, Bieber's velocity is down leading to him not utilizing his fastball as much. This reality is forcing Bieber to change the approach he has been using for the last few years, and implement his cutter on a more regular basis.

These changes are driving up his ERA (3.55) and hard contact rates, while keeping his strikeout numbers lower (just 55 in 80.2 innings). By no means does this make him ineffective pitcher. In fact, I think this is a testament to his competitiveness and mental fortitude to recognize his flaws and adapt.

The Cubs are also positioned better than most teams to deal with a lot of balls in play. This is part of the reason why Stroman is seeing so much success because he knows he can rely on his defense to make plays now that there are several Gold Glove defenders behind him. So Bieber would slot in well and the Cubs may be able to nab him without giving up prized outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong.

3 reasons the Cubs should pull off a Shane Bieber trade: #1 - The Guardians have traded a lot of starters in the past

Surprisingly, the Cleveland front office is not shy about trading starting pitchers, even when they have multiple years of control left like Bieber (free agent after 2024). At the 2019 trade deadline, Trevor Bauer was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds in a three-team trade with a year-and-a-half of control left.

Later that offseason, Corey Kluber was sent to the Rangers with a year of control and a club option remaining. Mike Clevinger was dealt in 2020 with more than two years remaining. Cleveland has proven adept at addressing their needs in this way and it wouldn't shock anyone to see them do so once again.

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In addition to a history of dealing starters, the Guardians need hitters that the Cubs can provide. Chase Strumpf, Alexander Canario, Brennen Davis and Kevin Alcantara are all potential chips the Cubs have at their disposal to swing a deal. The Guardians also have a wealth of starting pitching depth even after they designated Zach Plesac for assignment. Everyone's talking about Chicago selling - but there's another path before them.

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