New MLB Trade Rumors on Shane Bieber's Value and Potential Landing Spots Ahead of Deadline

The trade value of Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber is reportedly "trending upward after an impressive start today against the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Rays," per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

He added that the Rays, Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox are "among the teams active in the rotation market."

The Blue Jays (47-56) are potential sellers ahead of MLB's Aug. 3 deadline, finding themselves 12.5 games back of the Rays in the AL East and six games back of the final AL Wild Card berth. It would take quite the turnaround to get back into the playoff picture (though Boston's recently-halted 15-game winning streak might provide some hope it can be done).

And the Blue Jays haven't been trending in a great direction. On June 22 they were 39-39, but since that date they've gone just 8-17.

As for Bieber, the 31-year-old is 2-1 on the season with a 4.70 ERA, 1.43 ERA and 22 strikeouts in six starts (30.2 innings). The veteran started the season on the 60-day injured list due to elbow inflammation and didn't make his first start of the season until June 23.

He had his best start of the season on Thursday, giving up just one run and three hits in seven innings during Toronto's 3-1 win.

"That was outstanding," manager John Schneider told reporters. "Limiting hard contact against a really good offensive team, especially the top of the order. And we played really good defense behind him."

"I think that's big for me," Bieber added of showing more emotion on the mound during his latest start. "I think that came a little later than I would have liked, but that's a big part of baseball. Going out there and competing; believing in yourself and your team. A lot of baseball is energy and rhythm, and I've been able to find that lately, so happy with that."

Whether he continues those efforts in Toronto or with a new organization remains to be seen, but he's certainly put himself on the radar of contenders given his recent starts.