Tanner Bibee has emerged as a cornerstone player for the Guardians the past two seasons, and the organization is rewarding the 26-year-old with long-term security.
The Guardians and Bibee have agreed to a five-year contract extension, Cleveland announced on Saturday. The deal runs through the 2029 season and includes a club option for 2030.
Bibee was under club control this season. The extension buys out 2025 and his three years of arbitration eligibility (2026-28) while tacking on at least one additional season with Cleveland.
The extension includes a guaranteed $48 million, MLB.com has confirmed, as Bibee will receive a $2 million signing bonus, $3 million in 2025, $4 million in ¡®26, $7 million in ¡®27, $10 million in ¡®28 and $21 million in ¡®29. The option for ¡®30 is worth $21 million and includes a $1 million buyout. The club has not confirmed the terms.
¡°Obviously I wanted to stay in Cleveland. I really like it, I¡¯m very comfortable here, I like all the people in the organization and my teammates,¡± Bibee said. ¡°That¡¯s the sweet spot we got to. I wanted to be here.¡±
Bibee, who¡¯s set to make his first career Opening Day start on Thursday against the Royals, has been an anchor in the Guardians¡¯ rotation since he made his MLB debut on April 26, 2023. He¡¯s one of three Cleveland pitchers since 2000 to win 10 games in each of his first two seasons, along with CC Sabathia (2001-02) and Shane Bieber (2018-19).
As a rookie in 2023, Bibee finished second in AL Rookie of the Year Award voting, after going 10-4 in 25 starts with a 2.98 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP and 141 strikeouts over 142 innings. Last season, he went 12-8 in 31 starts while recording a 3.47 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and 187 strikeouts over 173 2/3 innings.
Bibee¡¯s steady presence loomed large in 2024, certainly after Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery in April following his second start. Overall, Cleveland¡¯s rotation combined to record a 4.40 ERA (tied for 23rd in the Majors) over 805 innings (24th). But they could count on Bibee to deliver a quality performance each time he toed the rubber. The Guardians went 22-9 in games he started.
¡°You knew on Bibee start day he was going to give you six strong innings-plus,¡± associate manager Craig Albernaz said this spring.
Bibee¡¯s evolution into a force atop the Guardians¡¯ rotation also included growth in the mental side of the game last season, while not losing the ability to successfully channel his competitive fire.
¡°I let stuff roll off my shoulders a lot easier,¡± Bibee said this month. ¡°And I think that's honestly what it came down to. My stuff didn't change that much. My competitiveness is still there.¡±
¡°The growth for him and his response to failure is what's making him into a bona fide ace in this league,¡± catcher Austin Hedges said this month.
Biebee made his third and final spring start Saturday in the Guardians¡¯ 12-8 win over the Padres. He allowed three runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts, while also making a slick pickoff move to easily get Connor Joe at second base.
By the time he walked off the mound after 5 1/3 innings, the Goodyear Ballpark crowd gave Bibee a huge ovation just hours after his contract extension was announced.
While admitting that he¡¯s heard from plenty of teammates already that he¡¯ll be buying dinner tonight, Bibee also said he never dreamed he¡¯d achieve this type of contract.
¡°No,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°Growing up I feel like the only thing you think about is making the Major Leagues. You never really think about what¡¯s after that. Someone asked me, ¡®Did you ever think about starting Opening Day?¡¯ I was like, ¡®No.¡¯ Guys just think about making it to the big leagues and whatever happens happens.¡±
Qualifying for the win Saturday caps off a strong Spring Training for Bibee.
He finishes camp with a 3-0 record, a 1.88 ERA and an 0.84 WHIP, all the while showing no signs of distraction while contract extension talks were ongoing the past couple of months.
¡°He¡¯s been working back fields, big league games, we¡¯re building him up appropriately. He¡¯s done everything we¡¯ve asked,¡± Vogt said Saturday. ¡°He had a good winter and bounced back well and he¡¯s ready to go. He¡¯s right where he needs to be.¡±
As Bieber continues to work his way back from Tommy John -- he¡¯s on track to return at some point this summer -- Bibee will again be counted on to be a leading force for Cleveland¡¯s rotation. That journey will continue Thursday in Kansas City.