MLB Rumors: Red Sox Pitching Target Opts To Return To AL Contender

The Boston Red Sox touched base with several starting pitchers on the open market this offseason.

They reportedly had “conversations” with Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, and there will be no opportunity for it to go any further with the talented right-hander.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Friday night that Bieber decided to return to the Cleveland Guardians after reaching a one-year, $14 million contract agreement with a $16 million player option for the 2026 season.

The Guardians are the only franchise Bieber has ever known. They drafted Bieber in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft and he spent the last seven seasons with them. He complied a 62-32 record over that span with a 3.22 ERA to go along with two All-Star nods.

The 29-year-old only got a modest contract since he’s coming off Tommy John surgery, which limited him to just two starts in 2024. Passan noted Bieber should be ready to pitch during the middle of the 2025 season.

It would have been a surprise if the Red Sox were scared off by Bieber’s recovery from a significant injury. They signed Liam Hendriks last offseason with the veteran reliever rehabbing from Tommy John as well.

Bieber is now the second starting pitcher the Red Sox have lost out on in free agency. Boston reportedly also had interest in Blake Snell, but he signed a five-year, $182 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Red Sox still have options when it comes to frontline starting pitchers as Corbin Burnes and Max Fried — two arms Boston reportedly targeted — are still available in free agency.