The MLB trade deadline has arrived, which means teams across the league will be either buying or selling all day on Thursday. The Cleveland Guardians were recently blindsided by multiple members of their pitching staff being placed on leave and under investigation for their potential involvement in a sports betting scandal.
It would seem that this may have spurred the Guardians into being sellers, as they’re finalizing a blockbuster trade of one of their premier arms, despite being very much in play for a wild-card spot in the postseason.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire right-hander Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN. The Jays have been looking for another starter, and they get one in the former AL Cy Young winner,” reported ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Thursday morning.
Fans reacted to the shocking news on social media.
“I don’t mind this one, but they better keep Kwan! Bieber was leaving next year anyways!” one Guards fan wrote on Twitter.
“Interested to see the return. Cleveland is usually really sharp when it comes to prospects. I expect a sneaky good name,” another fan added.
“Congrats on the World Series Toronto,” someone else wrote.
It’ll be interesting to see what the Guardians return is.