Tanner Bibee Named Surprise Guardians Trade Candidate This Offseason

The Cleveland Guardians were able to reach the American League Championship Series this past season, but they just couldn't get over the hump to reach the World Series.

Cleveland fell in six games to the Tampa Bay Rays, sending the organization into a crucial offseason. The Guardians have to find a way to get back to the World Series, and there are multiple areas on the roster to address.
As the Guardians' front office tries to figure out what the plan will be for the upcoming offseason, the team does have a few names who could be moved. Many of these have been rumored to be from the outfield, but right-hander Tanner

MLB analyst Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report named Bibee as a possible trade candidate for Cleveland entering the offseason. The right-hander has turned himself into a quality starter for the Guardians over the years, but the team may be ready to move on this winter.

In the playoffs, Bibee was hardly used, only getting one relief appearance in the ALDS through 11 games. The Guardians showed a clear lack of trust in the right-hander, and he could net them a decetn return if moved.

Cleveland just signed Bibee to a five-year, $48 million extension before the 2025 season, so he still has three more years left on his deal. The right-hander is scheduled to earn $7.4 million this coming season, which could also push the Guardians to trade him.

This franchise typically has a low payroll, with Cleveland coming in dead-last this past season. Bibee's salary may be too much for the Guardians to deal with for 2027, and there could be multiple interested teams across the league.

With Bibee under contract through the 2029 season, any pitching-needy squad could get a good, young starter for cheap. The right-hander is still owed $39 million over the next few years, which could be a steal if he performs up to par.

Bibee remains just 27 years old, and his stuff can be fun to watch pitch on the mound when he's right. In 2026, Bibee recorded a 4.36 ERA over 33 starts, firing 188.0 innings, while striking out 148 batters in the process.

If the Guardians do elect to move Bibee, there should be a lot of interest around baseball for the right-hander. But whether Cleveland actually moves on from the young pitcher so soon remains to be seen.