As the team enjoys an off-day ahead of a homestand against the Kansas City Royals, the front office has been busy, completing a trade for Cleveland Guardians starter Shane Bieber.

According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the Toronto Blue Jays have acquired Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for 22-year-old pitching prospect Khal Stephen in a one-for-one deadline deal. Bieber is a two-time All-Star and the 2020 American League Cy Young Award winner, though he has yet to pitch in the 2025 MLB season.

Bieber made a rehab start on July 29 with the Akron RubberDucks, Cleveland’s Double-A affiliate, where he threw four innings, struck out seven, walked none, and gave up just one run on a solo homer. The right-hander has been rehabbing from Tommy John surgery since April 2024 and is aiming to return to the majors by mid-August.

Stephen, drafted in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Mississippi State, has quickly emerged as one of Toronto’s top pitching prospects. In 2025, he’s posted a 9–1 record with a 2.06 ERA between High-A and Double-A New Hampshire, striking out 99 batters over 91.2 innings with a stellar 0.91 WHIP.

Bieber is earning $10 million this season. His contract includes a player option for 2026 worth $16 million, with a $4 million buyout should he choose to opt out.