Shane Bieber’s disastrous Blue Jays outing shows Guardians made right 2025 trade deadline decision 

Things can change quickly at the trade deadline. Sometimes that change happens due to an injury. Sometimes it happens because of a losing streak. Or sometimes it can happen because of one disastrous outing. 

We got a prime example of that on Tuesday when former Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber put together one of the oddest outings of his career at the worst possible time for the Blue Jays. 

Bieber, one of the top arms who could be on the move at the trade deadline, allowed four runs in 2/3 of an inning against the Nationals yesterday. Although he allowed just one hit, he walked six batters. 

Even if that start may not fully tank Bieber’s trade market given he’s had success in the past and won a Cy Young with the Guardians in 2020, it’s going to give interested teams a bit more leverage in trade talks. 

While that outing confirms the Guardians were smart to get out of the Bieber business last year, it also shows they were smart to not pitch Bieber in the big leagues last year before trading him to the Blue Jays for pitching prospect Khal Stephen. 

Shane Bieber struggled in what could be his final start with Blue Jays

Although part of their decision to not pitch Bieber in the bigs last season stemmed from the fact he was still rehabbing from last year’s Tommy John surgery, the Guardians were still smart to slow-play his rehab and build his market around potential and minor league rehab results. 

The Blue Jays were in that same boat earlier this year when Bieber started the season on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation and forearm fatigue, but he returned to the big leagues in June and has put together some up-and-down performances since. 

He seemed to be getting back in the swing of things earlier this month when allowed one run across 13 innings in starts against the Rays and White Sox, but all that came crashing down in Tuesday’s disaster against the Nationals. 

Although his manager John Schneider tried to pin the outing on the warm weather and moist conditions (the game was delayed for a little more than an hour due to a torrential downpour), Bieber was a bit more blunt. 

“You gotta find a way to get through it, right?” Bieber told reporters after the game. “And I wasn't able to do that tonight… nobody was more frustrated than me. I let the guys down tonight and so I wear that one wholeheartedly.”

That frustration undoubtedly carries over to Mark Shapiro, Ross Atkins and the rest of Blue Jays leadership given they’re one of the few clear sellers after an incredibly disappointing 2026 campaign. 

Bieber is one of their biggest trade candidates given he’s on an expiring contract, but it’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to get the same kind of return the Guardians got for him last season.

If Tuesday’s start ends up being Bieber’s final start with the Blue Jays (his next scheduled start would be after the deadline), it’ll be a bit of a disappointing end to his inconsistent time in Toronto. 

He pitched well for them down the stretch last season and was solid on their road to the World Series, but his time with them is going to end on a bit of a sour note thanks to his injuries and inconsistency (sound familiar)? 

Even if Bieber ends up pitching in the postseason this year following a trade to a contender, it’s hard to imagine he’s ever going to find a place where he’s as beloved as he was in Cleveland.

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