Starting pitcher Shane Bieber has decided to stay with the Toronto Blue Jays for the upcoming season instead of testing free agency. The team announced that he has opted to exercise his $16 million US player option for the 2026 season. Bieber, aged 30, joined Toronto from the Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline last summer and put up a 4-2 record with a 3.57 earned-run average.
His choice to return solidifies the Blue Jays’ starting rotation, which is expected to feature top pitcher Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Jose Berrios, and potentially Eric Lauer. The statuses of Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt, both right-handers and free agents, remain uncertain.
During the post-season, Bieber recorded a 2-1 record with a 3.86 ERA. Notably, he secured a crucial victory in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series and also appeared in Game 7. However, Bieber gave up a game-winning home run to Will Smith in the 11th inning of a 5-4 defeat at Rogers Centre.
Since making his MLB debut in 2018, Bieber has amassed a 66-34 record with a 3.24 ERA. He clinched the American League Cy Young Award in the shortened 2020 season, registering an impressive 8-1 record and a 1.63 ERA for the Guardians.
Bieber made a strong comeback in his Toronto debut on Aug. 22, pitching six innings and allowing only two hits after recovering from Tommy John surgery in April 2024. His decision to stay with the Blue Jays for 2026 was somewhat unexpected, as he could have pursued a lucrative long-term contract in free agency. By staying with Toronto, he aims to enhance his market value on a team poised for another competitive season.
Toronto had a successful 2025 season, winning 94 games and claiming the AL East Division title. They triumphed over the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series and the Seattle Mariners in the AL Championship Series before falling to the Dodgers in the World Series.
The Blue Jays’ 2026 season will kick off on March 26 against the Oakland Athletics, with spring training commencing in mid-February.