CLEVELAND ¨C Shane Bieber is coming back to Cleveland.

The former Cy Young winner agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Guardians for 2025 that includes a $16 million player option for 2026 ($4 million buyout). That means it¡¯ll either be a $14 million one-year deal or a $26 million two-year deal if Bieber exercises the option.

This was a reunion that no one could¡¯ve seen coming just one year ago. At that time, Bieber was entering his final year under Cleveland¡¯s control before heading into free agency. Given his track record, it was clear that Bieber would be well out of the Guardians¡¯ price range. But during the first week of the 2024 season, everything changed.

Bieber was the best he had been since he took home that AL Cy Young trophy in 2020. He talked about falling in love with the game again after tinkering with his arsenal and battling nagging injuries the last few seasons. This was the version of himself he knew he could be. And this was going to be the type of player to rake in big money in free agency.

He struck out 11 batters in six scoreless innings on Opening Day. He started to feel pain in his throwing elbow and during his next start ¨C one in which he fanned nine hitters in another six scoreless frames ¨C the pain intensified. He walked off the rubber after the sixth inning with tears in his eyes, knowing what would come next.

Bieber underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in April. He knew that the recovery would last well into 2025. Everything he thought this year was building toward was ripped away, including an exhilarating first taste of free agency. But suddenly, a reunion with the Guardians became possible.

At the end of the season, Bieber and Cleveland¡¯s front office met and expressed mutual interest in bringing the ace back. The Guardians desperately need starting pitching and Bieber needs a place to finish his rehab and get back to proving his worth in the Majors. It makes sense on both ends.

Bieber has grown up in the Guardians¡¯ system. The medical staff knows him better than anyone else could during a recovery process like this. He¡¯s seen countless pitchers come back from injuries with this organization and thrive. He¡¯s experienced first-hand what the Cleveland Pitching Factory can do for any type of hurler. He can come back to a familiar environment with coaches who have known him for his entire career and pitch the way he did in the small window he had in 2024. If he does that, even for just a second half of a season, his value next winter will be off the charts again.

The Guardians adding the option into the deal likely gave Bieber a sense of security. If there is a setback in his recovery or if he takes a little while to get his feet under him when he returns to the rubber, he already has a guaranteed option in his back pocket for 2026. Plus, as it¡¯s been reported, Bieber has been vocal about wanting to come back to Cleveland.

This deal provides some security for the Guardians when it comes to their rotation, but not enough. The team knows what it will get in Bieber when he¡¯s healthy enough to return, which is exactly what it needs: a top-tier, frontline starter to pair with Tanner Bibee. However, Bieber can¡¯t provide that until the summer. That means Cleveland still needs help in the first half of the season.

Bibee is a lock. The Guardians can hope that Gavin Williams will take a step forward, but that can¡¯t be a guarantee after the inconsistency he experienced when he returned from the IL in 2024. Ben Lively was better than expected all year, but it¡¯s hard to know if history can repeat itself. Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen have a lot to prove. Joey Cantillo only has a little bit of experience. Doug Nikhazy hasn¡¯t made his debut yet. The Guardians¡¯ current depth chart is shaky and needs more help than just Bieber.

This is a great starting point for a team that was optimistic to keep its ace for at least one more season. Now, the Guardians need to continue to build.