The AL champion Toronto Blue Jays can cross one off their list of things to do in the off-season. The New York Post reports that right-hander Shane Bieber has decided to exercise his $16million player option, and will stay with the team until 2026. Bieber’s buyout would have been $4 million if he had declined the player option. This made his decision worth $12 million. Toronto’s best outcome is to get Bieber on the player option again. It is a reasonable salary and a short-term contract. And it’s reasonable that he would be more productive as he moves away from the elbow reconstruction. Bieber is not required to be a top ace or even No. 2 starter. He is more than qualified to start as a No. R.J. Anderson, our R.J. Anderson, ranked Bieber 13th among the free agents available in this offseason. He’s now off the market. Bieber, who returned to baseball late in the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, showed a good handle on an average arsenal. His fastball was hotter than since 2021 and at times, his slider showed above-average qualities. Most interesting was a newly-minted kick changeup, which scored better than it did. Bieber will find success as long he can, but is more suited to a mid-rotational starter role than the frontline. Bieber, 30 years old, joined Toronto after a trade with Cleveland Guardians. At the time, he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. Bieber made seven regular season starts with the Blue Jays, pitching to a 3.57 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 40 ⅓ innings. He had a 3.86 ERA in 18 ⅔ postseasons inning during Toronto’s run to the American League pennant.
Bieber, who was in the bullpen for Game 7 of World Series, gave up Will Smith’s 11th-inning game-winning solo homer. It was his very first relief appearance in 2019. The veteran righties Chris Bassitt (who combined made 48 starts for 2025) and Max Scherzer are both free agents in this offseason. The Blue Jays will have less to worry about with Bieber’s player option. With an entire offseason to go, Toronto’s 2026 rotation depth chart currently looks like this: RHP Kevin GausmanRHP Trey YesavageRHP Shane BieberRHP José Berríos (missed the postseason with an elbow injury)LHP Eric LauerRHP Bowden Francis (did not pitch after June 14 due to shoulder injury)LHP Easton LucasThe Blue Jays have not provided an update on Berríos, who made at least 30 starts every year from 2022-25, since he was shut down for the postseason in September. Toronto should still look for a starter this winter, even if Berrios’ injury won’t affect his availability in 2019. If Berríos will miss the start of 2026, another starter will be imperative.
In addition to addressing the rotation, the Blue Jays will have to either re-sign or replace shortstop Bo Bichette, our third ranked free agent. The Blue Jays will also need to address the bullpen. Toronto finished the season with a record of 94-68 and was ranked No.1 in the AL. 1 seed. Los Angeles Dodgers, in seven games, won the World Series.
2025-11-05 03:59:58
