Guardians lock down Tanner Bibee ahead of Opening Day with contract extension

With Opening Day just a few days away, the Cleveland Guardians have ensured that the Ace of their pitching staff will be here for the foreseeable future. The Guardians have signed Tanner Bibee to a five-year contract extension with at least $48 million guaranteed.

Bibee will receive $2 million via a signing bonus while his salary increases in value with each passing year (2025: $3 million, 2026: $4 million, 2027: $7 million, 2028: $10 million, 2029: $21 million). The contract also includes a club option for 2030, also worth $21 million, or Bibee can be bought out for $1 million.

The 26-year-old was still a year away from becoming arbitration eligible and would not have become a free agent until after the 2028 season. This contract provides Bibee with financial security in exchange for buying out those arbitration eligible years and tacking on at least one additional season of control for the Guardians.

By getting this extension on the books, Cleveland has a little more clarity in regard to how their payroll will look for the next few seasons. This gives the front office a better idea of what their future financial commitment will be, subsequently allowing them to operate accordingly. This means that the usual risk-averse Guardians may take a chance on a player or two via trade or free agency that requires a certain dollar figure that is usually outside of their comfort zone. It is this type of secondary financial flexibility which allows the Guardians to maintain their extended period of competitiveness.

In his first two major league seasons, Bibee has a 3.25 ERA and 1.114 WHIP while averaging 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. This includes his American League Rookie of the Year runner-up performance in 2023, pitching to a 2.98 ERA, 1.176 WHIP, and 8.9 K/9. Bibee was thrust into the role of the Ace of Cleveland's staff last season following the loss of Shane Bieber early in the season. Bibee would go on to pitch to a 3.47 ERA, 1.117 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9, carrying the Guardians' pitching staff to an AL Central title and ALCS appearance. BIbee is clearly comfortable being the number one arm on a pitching staff, and this extension signed ahead of Opening Day will ensure that he retains that title in Cleveland for years to come.