6 potential trade suitors for an in-season Shane Bieber trade

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Though it didn't happen this offseason, there's a distinct possibility that Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber could be dealt sometime around the trade deadline this year.

It would likely only come if the Guardians are faltering, unable to compete in a weak AL Central and in need of more retooling on this still-young roster. In a perfect world, the Guardians put together another surprising run for the division, and Bieber sticks around for all of it. Cleveland could then give him a qualifying offer to recoup a draft pick, or the Guardians could do the unthinkable and sign Bieber to an extension (that'll all depend on how his 2024 season goes).

Still, as the season unfolds, it'll become more clear as to what teams need pitching down the stretch, and which teams are serious about making a deep playoff run. Here are six potential suitors who could be looking at a Shane Bieber deal closer to the trade deadline.

6 Potential Trade Suitors for Shane Bieber This Season

Baltimore Orioles

Pitchers and catchers just reported, and the Orioles are already having their pitching depth tested. Baltimore did trade for Corbin Burnes, but Kyle Bradish already has a sprained right UCL and John Means is still behind in coming back from elbow soreness that kept him out of the postseason. Bradish, who was one of the best pitchers in baseball during the second half last season, will likely start the season on the IL, so Baltimore is likely looking at every option available to stay afloat in the hyper-competitive AL East.

Texas Rangers

Like the Orioles, the Rangers are armed with a top-flight farm system, which they might need to dip into in their pursuit of a second World Series title. As far as their rotation goes, Jacob deGrom isn't expected back until August, and Max Scherzer will turn 40 during the season, so who knows what Texas can realistically expect from either of them in 2024. There is decent depth in the rest of the rotation - Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray, Dane Dunning, Tyler Mahle included - but the Rangers will likely be active at the trade deadline again.

New York Yankees

Avert your eyes, Guardians fans. But the fact is, the Yankees' rotation is a volatile mixed bag beyond Gerrit Cole. New York has a solid farm system of its own, and the Yankees will definitely be looking to acquire a pitcher at the deadline for the same reason as Baltimore.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Obviously. But the Dodgers really have more questions in their rotation than you might think. What will they realistically get out of Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw? Will Tyler Glasnow stay healthy for the entire season? How will Yoshinobu Yamamoto handle making the jump to MLB? There's a good chance Los Angeles will be just fine, cruising to a 100-win season, but the Dodgers will likely still want to pad their pitching depth for another postseason run.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies' farm system has been described as more "top-heavy," which might help the Guardians given they're trying to actually compete sooner than later. The more MLB-ready talent they can work into the mix, the better. And the Phillies do need to find a way to get over that postseason hump somehow, someway.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds were thought to be a decent trade partner in the offseason, due in large part to the major-league roster logjam they're currently dealing with. Cincinnati has a wealth of talent already up in the big leagues, and the Reds are looking to take that next step in their contention window. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see them compete for the NL Central crown in 2024, but they still need more pitching depth to truly solidify themselves as a contender. Shane Bieber would go a long way to making that happen, and Cleveland would likely have its pick of impact major-league players to choose from.

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Cleveland Guardians: 6 potential suitors for an in-season Shane Bieber trade