There has been substantial speculation regarding the Philadelphia Phillies’ potential moves this offseason to position themselves as contenders for the World Series title.
One thing that’s clear is their focus on bolstering their starting pitching. General Manager Dave Dombrowski has emphasized their top priority, which is re-signing Aaron Nola.
However, in the event they cannot secure Nola’s services, they will need to find a replacement to maintain their pitching production.
To address this, the Phillies are considering the possibility of a major trade with the Cleveland Guardians to acquire Shane Bieber.
According to MLB Insider Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY, it’s anticipated that the Guardians’ ace may be on the trading block during the upcoming offseason.
Bieber made headlines when he won the AL Cy Young award in the shortened 2020 season, achieving a pitching Triple Crown with the lowest ERA (1.63), the most wins (8), and strikeouts (122). Nevertheless, concerns arise due to injuries that curtailed his 2021 and 2023 seasons, making potential suitors wary.
The decision to acquire Bieber will be a critical one for the Phillies, as replacing Nola is not just about talent but also about the consistency he brought to the team in terms of innings and starts.
When the Phillies signed Zack Wheeler, he was facing a similar situation with questions about his durability due to previous injury-ridden seasons.
Wheeler, however, has become a reliable workhorse for the team since joining Philadelphia. Should they proceed with the trade for Bieber, they will be seeking the same reliability from him.
One factor working in Bieber’s favor is that, at 28 years old, he has relatively low mileage on his arm, which could be an asset as he enters a pivotal phase in his career. He has thrown 831 innings and delivered over 12,000 pitches since his MLB debut.
In contrast, Nola has accumulated 1,422 innings and more than 22,000 pitches. If the Phillies end up losing Nola this offseason, a blockbuster trade for Bieber would position them favorably for a potential World Series championship.
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