Bibee, Guardians agree to five-year contract extension

Tanner Bibee has emerged as a cornerstone player for the Guardians the past two seasons, and the organization is rewarding the 26-year-old with long-term security.

The Guardians and Bibee have agreed to a five-year contract extension, Cleveland announced on Saturday. The deal runs through the 2029 season and includes a club option for 2030.

Bibee was under club control this season. The extension buys out 2025 and his three years of arbitration eligibility (2026-28) while tacking on at least one additional season with Cleveland.

The extension includes a guaranteed $48 million, MLB.com has confirmed, as Bibee will receive a $2 million signing bonus, $3 million in 2025, $4 million in ‘26, $7 million in ‘27, $10 million in ‘28 and $21 million in ‘29. The option for ‘30 is worth $21 million and includes a $1 million buyout. The club has not confirmed the terms.

“Obviously I wanted to stay in Cleveland. I really like it, I’m very comfortable here, I like all the people in the organization and my teammates,” Bibee said. “That’s the sweet spot we got to. I wanted to be here.”

Bibee, who’s set to make his first career Opening Day start on Thursday against the Royals, has been an anchor in the Guardians’ rotation since he made his MLB debut on April 26, 2023. He’s one of three Cleveland pitchers since 2000 to win 10 games in each of his first two seasons, along with CC Sabathia (2001-02) and Shane Bieber (2018-19).

As a rookie in 2023, Bibee finished second in AL Rookie of the Year Award voting, after going 10-4 in 25 starts with a 2.98 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP and 141 strikeouts over 142 innings. Last season, he went 12-8 in 31 starts while recording a 3.47 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and 187 strikeouts over 173 2/3 innings.

Bibee’s steady presence loomed large in 2024, certainly after Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery in April following his second start. Overall, Cleveland’s rotation combined to record a 4.40 ERA (tied for 23rd in the Majors) over 805 innings (24th). But they could count on Bibee to deliver a quality performance each time he toed the rubber. The Guardians went 22-9 in games he started.

“You knew on Bibee start day he was going to give you six strong innings-plus,” associate manager Craig Albernaz said this spring.

Bibee’s evolution into a force atop the Guardians’ rotation also included growth in the mental side of the game last season, while not losing the ability to successfully channel his competitive fire.

“I let stuff roll off my shoulders a lot easier,” Bibee said this month. “And I think that's honestly what it came down to. My stuff didn't change that much. My competitiveness is still there.”

“The growth for him and his response to failure is what's making him into a bona fide ace in this league,” catcher Austin Hedges said this month.

Biebee made his third and final spring start Saturday in the Guardians’ 12-8 win over the Padres. He allowed three runs on six hits with one walk and five strikeouts, while also making a slick pickoff move to easily get Connor Joe at second base.

By the time he walked off the mound after 5 1/3 innings, the Goodyear Ballpark crowd gave Bibee a huge ovation just hours after his contract extension was announced.

While admitting that he’s heard from plenty of teammates already that he’ll be buying dinner tonight, Bibee also said he never dreamed he’d achieve this type of contract.

“No,” he said with a smile. “Growing up I feel like the only thing you think about is making the Major Leagues. You never really think about what’s after that. Someone asked me, ‘Did you ever think about starting Opening Day?’ I was like, ‘No.’ Guys just think about making it to the big leagues and whatever happens happens.”

Qualifying for the win Saturday caps off a strong Spring Training for Bibee.

He finishes camp with a 3-0 record, a 1.88 ERA and an 0.84 WHIP, all the while showing no signs of distraction while contract extension talks were ongoing the past couple of months.

“He’s been working back fields, big league games, we’re building him up appropriately. He’s done everything we’ve asked,” Vogt said Saturday. “He had a good winter and bounced back well and he’s ready to go. He’s right where he needs to be.”

As Bieber continues to work his way back from Tommy John -- he’s on track to return at some point this summer -- Bibee will again be counted on to be a leading force for Cleveland’s rotation. That journey will continue Thursday in Kansas City.