The deadline madness is a high-stakes bazaar, and timing isn’t just everything — it’s the only thing. As the Cubs and Red Sox bickered over pennies and prospects, the Blue Jays swooped in like a front-office falcon. Meanwhile, the Guardians, ever the pragmatists, found a suitor willing to pay today instead of haggling tomorrow. When the smoke cleared, Toronto walked off with the prize while Chicago and Boston clutched empty checkbooks.
The reports have been telling us that the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox have been in touch with the Guardians for Shane Bieber. But guess who gave a wild card entry and has almost come to a deal with the Guardians, the Toronto Blue Jays.
It was just reported by MLB insider Jeff Passan that the Blue Jays are close to getting Shane Bieber. He said, “The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire right-hander Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN. The Jays have been looking for another starter, and they get one in the former AL Cy Young winner.”
The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a trade to acquire right-hander Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians, sources tell ESPN. The Jays have been looking for another starter, and they get one in the former AL Cy Young winner. On the news: @jonmorosi.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays are pursuing Shane Bieber to strengthen their rotation with proven postseason experience. He is a former Cy Young winner with top‑of‑rotation potential when fully healthy and back from Tommy John recovery. Acquiring Bieber would give Toronto reliable depth down the stretch and potential pitching leadership during October contention. Trading rising prospect Khal Stephen seems worthwhile given his high upside and strong minor league performance.
So while the Cubs and Red Sox played chess with no clock, the Blue Jays played poker—and went all in. Shane Bieber may not be vintage just yet, but Toronto’s betting on the label aging well. October isn’t for the cautious, it’s for the bold—and this move screams ambition in capital letters. If it pays off, the Jays won’t just have won a trade—they’ll have won a mindset.
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