The Cleveland Guardians are facing significant challenges with the absence of two key pitchers,who are currently under examination by Major League Baseball for alleged illegal gambling. this situation has created uncertainty for the team, especially as they navigate the trade deadline and consider their roster moves.
One pitcher, Shane Bieber, a former American League Cy Young Award winner, is scheduled to make a rehab start in Double-A Akron. This outing is expected to draw considerable attention from scouts. Bieber has a $16 million player option for the upcoming season, with the option of opting out and receiving a $4 million buyout. Despite his limited activity over the past two years, with only four starts in the last 24 months, teams have reportedly inquired about his availability due to a scarcity of quality starting pitchers in the market. Bieber himself stated that he is concentrating on his recovery and not paying attention to trade rumors,although he acknowledged past involvement in such speculation.
Chris Antonetti, the Guardians’ President of Baseball Operations, commented on the team’s situation, noting the difficulty of losing two valuable pitchers for the foreseeable future.He emphasized the need to assess how this impacts the team’s strategic decisions.
Regarding the integrity of the game, Antonetti deferred specific blame until the completion of the MLB investigation, stating a desire to avoid pre-judging the outcome. The two pitchers in question were reportedly close, sharing a bond over their shared interests in farming and animals.When asked about teammates’ trust in the game’s integrity, catcher tyler Vogt expressed his disappointment and the difficulty of the situation. He highlighted the new dimension of dealing with legal gambling and the uncertainty it brings, especially with two team members under investigation. Vogt acknowledged that this situation is painful for the team.
The MLB handbook outlines strict rules regarding gambling. Rule 21d(2) states that any individual involved in a baseball game who bets on that game will be permanently ineligible. Rule 21d(3) addresses betting with illegal bookmakers, subjecting offenders to penalties determined by the Commissioner based on the specific circumstances.
Vogt believes the team does a good job of informing players about these rules, and Antonetti agreed that a lack of awareness is not the issue. Still, the absence of these two pitchers presents a considerable hurdle for the Guardians, forcing them to adapt and plan for the future.Antonetti stressed the importance of understanding the current reality and determining the best path forward.
