Tanner Bibee has emerged as an essential a part of the Guardians’ core. He won’t be leaving Cleveland any time quickly.
On Saturday, the Guardians announced that they had prolonged Bibee via the 2029 season with a group possibility for 2030. Zack Meisel of The Athletic reported that the five-year deal is value at the very least $48 million, with the 2030 possibility value $21 million until a $1 million buy-out is paid.
The 26-year-old has emerged as one other spectacular arm for the Guardians. He has posted a 3.25 ERA and a 1.144 WHIP in 315.2 innings over his first two main league seasons, placing out 328 batters with 89 walks. The 2023 AL Rookie of the Yr runner-up, Bibee stepped up as a top-of-the-rotation arm in Cleveland when Shane Bieber was misplaced for many of the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery.
With this extension, the Guardians have some price certainty and a possible cut price. The five-year deal buys out Bibee’s arbitration years and as much as two free-agent seasons. He joins third baseman Jose Ramirez, nearer Emmanuel Clase and reliever Trevor Stephen as constructing blocks.
Whereas Bibee would be the Guardians’ Opening Day starter, the remainder of the rotation is unsure till Bieber returns. Ben Energetic, who turned 32 in 2024, put collectively a profession season and could also be unable to copy that efficiency. Kids Logan Allen, Gavin Williams and Luis Ortiz have displayed flashes of their potential however have didn’t put all the pieces collectively for an prolonged interval.
If the Guardians contend in 2025, they’ll want Bibee to proceed as a top-of-the-rotation arm. Cleveland is making a large wager that he’ll proceed to be a franchise cornerstone.
