Blue Jays' struggles could lead to Guardians legend becoming playoff hero in yet another city

At this time last year, Guardians fans were beginning to brace for the reality of the Guardians trading Shane Bieber at the deadline. And that’s exactly what they did by dealing Bieber to the Blue Jays in exchange for pitching prospect Khal Stephen. 

The early returns of that trade broke the Blue Jays’ way, as Bieber returned from the injured list in the second half of the season, nearly pitched Toronto to a World Series win and re-upped with them for 2026 via his $16 million player option. 

But not much has gone right for him or the Blue Jays since, which could lead to the former Guardian once again joining a new franchise at the trade deadline. 

Shane Bieber is one of the Blue Jays' biggest trade chips

Bieber got a late start to his season due to shoulder fatigue, and he’s posted a 5.70 ERA in 23 2/3 innings this season. Things haven’t looked much better under the hood either, as he’s on pace for a career-low in strikeouts (17.6%) along with a career-high walk rate (11.1%). 

He’s one of numerous Blue Jays players who have struggled in 2026, which is why they’re in the basement of the American League East. 

Those struggles have led to some buzz that the Blue Jays could end up being sellers at this year’s deadline. While they won’t undergo a full rebuild since they have so many players signed to long-term contracts, they could punt on this season and deal veterans who’d be rentals (like Bieber).

Although Bieber may not be as desirable of an option of fellow Blue Jays rentals like starter Kevin Gausman or outfielder Daulton Varsho, he should still have plenty of suitors should the Blue Jays choose to deal him. 

Even though Bieber’s struggles and injuries this season are two clear red flags, he showed just how good he could be his last time out when he tossed six scoreless innings with six strikeouts against the White Sox. 

He may not be the same frontline ace that he was during his peak with the Guardians, but he’s still a quality pitcher who would see some action in the postseason for almost every contender. 

And he’s now shown two fanbases just how good he can be in the postseason, as he dazzled for the Guardians in 2022 before being one of the Blue Jays’ steadiest pitchers last postseason. 

The clear downside for the Blue Jays in any trade is that they’re going to sell low on Bieber a little more than 12 months after getting him at the cost of Stephen, who was one of their top pitching prospects. 

That may not be hurting them now that Stephen’s going to be out for the foreseeable future after arm surgery, but there’s still a big chance that trade could come back to bite them. 

But it could also come back to bite them if they choose to let Bieber walk in free agency since then they lost him for nothing, whereas a trade could help them recoup a little bit of value for a player who isn’t a part of their long-term plans. 

It was a conundrum the Guardians spent multiple years working through as Bieber got closer to free agency, and they eventually solved it by trading Bieber the minute he was healthy enough for them to do so. 

Now it’s the Blue Jays’ turn to navigate that conundrum. If they were smart, that process would end with Bieber taking the mound in the postseason for a new team. 

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